Team Santa Rosa takes this one
Every second counts! Tell that to the STI College Quezon Avenue basketball team as the swept the eliminations on the account of two pulsating last second finishes. If not for the clock running out on the STI College Global City team and STI College Santa Rosa, there would have not been a sweep. Unfortunately, in a close game every second really counts as Juluis Casaysayan sank a buzzer beating three pointer from way beyond the three point arc with 1.4 seconds left as the STI College Santa Rosa team beat the unbeatable STI College Quezon Avenue team 74-73.
Both teams showed excellent defense
Team Quezon Avenue started like a team on a purpose as they took the early lead and forced Team Santa Rosa to various turnovers as they led 6 - 2. Team STa. Rosa then took a breather to address the problems they encountered and after the time out Team Santa Rosa countered with a 12-1 run to give them the upperhand 13-7 with five minutes left in the quarter.
Winston Balmaceda was shooting on all angles
Santa Rosa veteran pointguard Winston Balmaceda was firing on all ends as he scattered 12 first half points as he sank three three - pointers and always doused cold water everytime Team Quezon Ave would stage a rally. On the other hand, it was 5th season MVP William Vasallo who carried the fight for the Quezon city based squad as he scored 15 first half points as his booming three pointers kept them in the fight. After Team Santa Rosa dictated the majority of the second quarter, Team Quezon avenue came to life and equalized the score at 35 – all with two minutes left.
Macky Macabasco anchors 3rd Qtr QA run
Team Quezon Avenue’s offense and defense eventually clicked by the third quarter as they were firing on almost all ends while Team Santa Rosa was very erratic and fell in a maze of errors. Staring at a 43-44 deficit with 7 minutes left in the quarter, Team Quezon Avenue uncorked a paralyzing 18 – 6 bomb that was presided by former Olympian Macky Macbasco. Team QA was playing perfect basketball as they forced Santa Rosa to fumble, take bad shots, get the rebounds, run and convert on the fastbreak. At the end of the third quarter Quezon avenue was on top 61 – 50 and a game one win was in their grasp.
Interesting match up of
William Vasallo and John Batisan
Team Santa Rosa is now on its fourth finals and is not about to give up the game on a silver platter. Summoning their vast championship experience that gave them numerous titles in various leagues the past four years, Team Santa Rosa came back through sheer defensive intensity and hustle. Their rotating 2 – 3 man zone forced Team QA to take bad shots which they translated to fastbreak points. In a span of four minutes the Team QA lead vanished as Team Santa Rosa’s zone kept them from operating their one-on-one plays and effective weaving offense. Juluis Casaysayan scored on a lay up and was fouled by Ervin Magistrado which he converted to level up the score 61-all. From thereon Team Santa Rosa got the fourth quarter momentum as Team Quezon Avenue’s stars both got into a series of misfortunes and slight injuries.
Game 1 hero Juluis Casaysayan
Team Santa Rosa threatened to put the game away by getting a 68-64 lead but Team QA keeps on coming back as Paolo Zabala tied the score 70 – all on a three pointer. Team Santa Rosa scored on a free throw with 15 seconds left in the game to take a 71-70 lead as Team QA called a time out for a last second miracle. Team QA went to Macky Macabasco as he sank a three pointer to give them a 73-71 lead as time went down to 1.4 second. Juluis Casaysayan sank the game winner after. Both teams are evenly matched and as both their games ended in last second shots with both teams winning with just one point. Game two is on Wednesday and expect the game to go down the wire once again.
Ferrer scores
The Boxscores
Santa Rosa (74)
Balmaceda 14, Ferrer 11, Casaysayan 8, Salamat 8, Batisan 6, Manabat 6, Santos 5, Parala 5, Baniqued 4, Arzola 4, Cruz 3, Lacsina 0, Reyes 0, Maunahan 0, Peña 0
Quezon Ave. (73)
Vasallo 27, Magistrado 17, Macabasco 10, Sarmiento 8, Zabala 7, Untalan 2, Panganiban 2, Bilog 0, Jamero 0, Bernardino 0, Siervo 0, Bohol 0
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