Olympians make it to final four

Renz Cruz was all over the Titan Point Guards

The STI College Olympians captured the third slot in the final four as it got a little help from the very team it beat the last time around. The Olympians beat the AMA Computer University 66-54 in the wake of a fourth quarter onslaught that limited the Titans to only four fourth quarter points. Lyceum of Subic Bay barged got the other final four slot by ousting the Informatics Icons. At the end of the second round, the Olympians, Sharks and Icons were all tied for third to fifth place with identical 12 wins and six losses cards. But since the Olympians had the superior tie break then they got the lucky entry to the final four. If the Icons won against the Sharks the Olympians would have slid down to fourth.

Norman Ihalas balied out the Olympians for the 2nd Straight game

Norman Ihalas once again carried the fight for the Olympians as he scored 20 big points to lead the STI team to victory. After two quarters the Olympians stormed ahead 28 - 25 after the Titans led STI 17 -13 in the first. The Titans unveiled a new player in Mbomiko who underscored his strength under the basket early on but was muffled by the Olympians frontline late in the game.

Jong Carino guards Sander Salvador

In the third quarter, the Olympians started to miss as the Titans zone defense prevented them to drive to the basket and score. On the other hand, Sander Salvador of AMACU waxed hot as he nailed two consecutive three pointers plus another field goal to put the Titans on top by eleven with 50 -39 with barely a minute left in the quarter. Norman Ihalas once again fueled another Olympians comeback by sinking a three pointer to stay near the Titans at the end of the quarter at 45 -50.

Maclean Sabellina scores

The Olympians then turned on their vaunted fourth quarter defense as they limited the Titans to only four points in the fourth quarter. Martin Antonio scored inside on superb feeds by Olympians point guard Macky Macabasco. Maclean Sabellina, Jerald Bautista and Cedric Ablaza also made matters worse for the Titans as they scored on put backs and clamped down on the Titans assigned to them. It was another test of character for the Olympians. The Olympians now have to beat the UM Hawks twice to go back to the finals. A tall order since the Hawks blew the Olympians twice in the eliminations. But then again, the Final FOur is a different story. Stay tuned once again.

Macky Macabasco made great contributions

STI COLLEGE (66)

Ihalas 20, Carino 8, Macabasco 8, Antonio 6, Ablaza 6, Bautista 4, Cruz 4, Daguplo 2, Bocablo 0, Po 0.

AMACU (54)

Salvador 14, Maravilla 8, Mangalindan 8, Bernardo 6, Mbomiko 6, Masigan 6, Cabico 4, Tan 2, Nicolas 0, Tam 0.

Quarterscores: 13-17, 28-25, 45-50, 66-54