Watching games go down the wire has been a familiar refrain for the games played in the 9th STI Basketball Showdown. Students from defending champion DLS-STI and STI College Quezon Avenue were in for a special treat and just like a boxing match both teams slugged it out for 15 guelling rounds with each team finding ways to get back at each other.
The first quarter opened with the defending champions dictating the pace and signalling that their previous conquest against the same team in the eliminations is not a fluke. Center Archie Olmedo, as if he is still not yet finished scoring since their first encounter, got the ball rolling by scoring the first six points of the game. The E.Rodriguez squad jumped to a 11-6 lead but the Quezon Avenue dribblers came back after Rodgie Trunio sank two three pointers to signal the return of the QA team as the quarter with them just behind by one 17-16.
The second quarter still belonged to the DLS-STI dribblers as their inside and outside onslaught came to full force while the Quezon Avenue cagers suddenly sputtered in the wake of the DLS-STI juggernaut.While Archie Olmedo scored inside, the DLS-STI shooters namely Christian Tan and Soren Mangabat found their range as they scattered two three pointers EACH to give the DLS-STI team a big 43-30 halftime lead. The STI College Quezon Ave. team never knew what hit them as their offense suddenly went south.
Like a bad nightmare that never ceases to comeback the STI College Quezon Ave team used a third quarter run to catch up with their tormentors as they showed their spunk and patience as their defense tightened in the wake of their amazing comeback. Sarmiento was the sparkplug that the Quezon Ave team needed as he anchored their team's defense and presided over his team's offense as he scattered 10 points mostly on daredevil drives to the hoops and three point plays. Sarmiento scored 16 straight points bridging the end of the second quarter till the strat of tht third. After three quarters we were back to square one as the Quezon ave team equalized the score 55- all.
Enter the fourth quarter which saw both teams give it their best shot as both teams engaged in a blink and you die battle. STI College Quezon Avenue's Rodgie Trunio came back from a subpar performance in their previous game to stem the tide for the QA dribblers as he banged in 9 points in the fourth quarter. On the other hand it is still the fierce inside presence of Archie Olmedo who scored 10 points. Despite both teams tried their best to gain the upperhand no team was able to get the upperhand as the game ended with both teams still tied at 73 - all.
The overtime was another nail biting experience as the game boiled down to a free throw contest. The STI QA dribblers raced to an 82-76 lead with three minutes left as Ervin Magistrado waved his magic on the fastbreak. But just when everyone has given up DLS-STI found an unlikely hero in Mark Gochingco. The third year guard was fouled while attempting a three point shot and he sank three free throws. After a botched play by STI QA Gochingco came back to sink two more free throws and then the E. Rodriguez squad was back in the game.
A little commotion happened with less than two minutes left when Ulyses Casio was whistled for an unsportsmanlike foul with the QA team up by one 84-83. Unfortunately Robert Joaquin of STI QA came charging to the aid of Ervin Magistrado and was whistled for a Technical Foul. The two calls immediately cancelled each other thus negating the advantage that STI QA had. Unfortunately for the QA team, they didn't know what hit them. After DLS-STI took a 86-84 lead with 20 seconds left Chistian Tan sank a cold blooded three pointer to give DLS-STI an 89-84 lead that they never relinquished. STI QA botched the next play and DLS-STI scored four more points to give the E. Rodriguez based squad their fifth straight finals appeaance. The DLS-STI team faces the STI College Balagtas team who is waiting in the wings after sweeping the eliminations.
A little commotion happened with less than two minutes left when Ulyses Casio was whistled for an unsportsmanlike foul with the QA team up by one 84-83. Unfortunately Robert Joaquin of STI QA came charging to the aid of Ervin Magistrado and was whistled for a Technical Foul. The two calls immediately cancelled each other thus negating the advantage that STI QA had. Unfortunately for the QA team, they didn't know what hit them. After DLS-STI took a 86-84 lead with 20 seconds left Chistian Tan sank a cold blooded three pointer to give DLS-STI an 89-84 lead that they never relinquished. STI QA botched the next play and DLS-STI scored four more points to give the E. Rodriguez based squad their fifth straight finals appeaance. The DLS-STI team faces the STI College Balagtas team who is waiting in the wings after sweeping the eliminations.
The Scores:DLS-STI (93)
Olmedo 30, Gochingco 15, Tan 13, Manabat 10, Casio 8, Galang 8, Boncan 7, Escubio 2, Dean 0,
STI COLLEGE QUEZON AVE. (84)
Sarmiento 27, Trunio 20, Magistrado 15, Joaquin 14, Bohol 4, Abong 3, Ragundfaz 1, Cezar 0, Siervo 0, Lucban 0, Jacildo 0
Quarterscores: 17-16, 43-30, 55 - all, 73 -all, 93-84
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