The STI College Olympians leaned on their grizzled veterans in crunch time as they rallied from 15 points down to beat the league leading San Sebastian College Baycats 79-78 in second round action of the 8th NAASCU. Darryl Mendoza shone the brightest for the Olympians as he outmuscled every defender thrown at him to score 24 points and lead the Olympians to their 13th win in 16 games and for the first time this season the Olympians are in the lead in the standings. The Baycats are just half a game behind with 12 wins and the loss to STI was just their third loss of the season.
The first quarter started with both teams displaying their suffocating defense and no team scored for the first two minutes. Then the Baycats found the bottom of the net and erected a 13-7 lead which was a result of great defense and impeccable fastbreak points. Ray Gracilla led the first quarter assault of the Baycats as he helped build a 24-13 first quarter lead. The Baycats onslaught continued in the second quarter as Ray Alcasabas, Oliver VIllareal and Escobal joined the fray as the Baycats offense was in high gear. The veterans of the Olympians on the other hand were quite unlucky as most of their shots were twirling out. Ramon Mabayo was always double teamed and the Olympians had a hard time getting their shots in. The Baycats were looking at a 15 point lead with two minutes left 41-26 and the quarter closed with the San Sebastian Team lording it over the STI team with a ten point lead.
In the third quarter, defense was the key to the return of the Olympians. Through patience and baskets by Darryl Mendoza the Olympiasn cut the lead of the Baycats to just three 38-41. In seven minutes all the Baycats can produce was two points as the suffocating defense of the Olympians prevented them to score. Unfortunately, after the second unit of the Olympians spelled the veterans, the Baycats took the initiative to force the Olympians with errors once again to lead 57-49. Second year forward William Vasallo then beat the buzzer with a three pointer to narrow the gap to five points 57-52.
Like Freddy Kruger, the Olympians came back from the grave that they have fallen to and leveled the count at 69-all. Darryl Mendoza then converted two free throws to give the Olympians a 71-69 lead. On the other end, Ric Gracilla converted a three pointer to give the upperhand once again to the Baycats. The turnaround happened with 53 seconds left, William Vasallo once again nailed a three pointer to put the OLympians in front for good 76-74. That triple broke the back of the Baycats as the Olympians went on to add three more free throws while the Baycats still managed to sink two more field goals. As a result of the pressure defense and physical game, one by one three baycats fdouled out, first was Villareal followed by Pantonio and Alcasabas. Barring any freak incidents, the championship will feature these two teams which we believe will be the most exciting NAASCU finals ever.
STI 79
Mendoza 24, Vasallo 11, Mabayo 10, Danganan 10, Aransazo 7, Crisostomo 6, Cabangon 5, Macabasco 4, Sabellina 2, Ihalas 0.
SSC-R Cavite 78
Gracilla 16, RayAlcasabas 16, Villareal 14, Escobal 10, Lucernas 8, Basa 3, Pantonia 2, Acain 1, Callado 0, Antipuesto 0.
Quarterscores: 13-24, 31-41, 52-57, 79-78 Final
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