Olympians lose to Hawks

Olympians and Hawks jockey for position

The STI College Olympians opened the first quarter with six turnovers, four missed free throws and 5 missed field goals while their opponent, 5 time champion University of manila capitalized on the Olympians miscues by opening up an 8 – 0 lead courtesy of gutsy guard Jeff Viernes as they cruised to a 73 -62 win against last year’s runner up. The game was the first out of town game of the NAASCU as all the teams travelled to play at the San Sebastian College De Cavite gym in Cavite City.

Renz Cruz scores two

The Olympians never knew what hit them, as the team self destructed in the first quarter because of the scarcity in offense, their defense was non existent in the second quarter as the Hawks raced to a 43-22 halftime lead. This is the first time in years that the Olympians allowed that much in a quarter. This is the second straight game that the Olympians started slow and paid dearly on their poor showing as league leaders San Sebastian College Cavite and Informatics remain the only unbeaten teams.

Mark Orias on the fastbreak

John Matubang, UM’s newest find showed his unique basketball sense and skills as he orchestrated the crippling run that made the Hawks eat the Olympians defense. Everytime the Olympians would threaten to bring down the lead , Matubang would douse cold water on their rally. Matubang and the rest of the Hawks flexed their muscles in the first half as they torched the Olympians with 23 and 18 points in two quarters as the STIers never recovered from that lethargic start.

Maclean Sabellina leads the way

Maclean Sabellina tried to bring back the Olympians as he scored 15 third quarter points to breathe life to the Olympians hopes of a fourth straight win. Unfortunately there was not enough help from the rest of the Olympians as their 16 first half turnovers proved to be so costly that the nearest the Olympians came was at 9 points 62-53. Jerald Bautista was a non factor after getting ticky tacky fouls and most of his points came in the fourth quarter. Bull strong center Martin Antonio missed a lot of field goals, some were even at point blank range and even the free throws awarded him were muffed. That struggle underscored the poor play of the Olympians. Next stop..The University of Makati Hardy Herons.

Cedrick Ablaza on the drive

The Scores

UM (73) -- Matubang 24, Delos Trinos 15, Viernes 11, Manuel 8, Basan 5, Tamayo 4, Patricio 3, Sadsad 3, Fe.Jacob 0, Ibay 0, Fr. Jacob 0, Rabalo 0, Mallada 0, Sanguyo 0, Ferrer 0.

STI (62) --Sabellina 16, Bautista 10, Carino 8, Orias 6, Antonio 5, Ihalas 5, Macabasco 4, Po 2, Ablaza 2, Dagulpo 0, Bocalbo 0, Villadoz 0,Washington 0, Pascual 0, Waminal 0.

Quarterscores 23-10, 43-22, 58-46, 73-62.