Sunday, August 22, 2010

Olympians beat Titans in Subic

Maclean scores off a pass from Storm
Bautista cans a three pointer


GONE IN 60 seconds. That can be an apt title to the much awaited Cyber wars as the STI College Olympians got the upperhand against their rivals, the AMA Computer University Titans as the Olympians dictated the tempo in the first quarter and never looked back as they hacked out a 61-41 win at the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority Gym in Subic Olongapo. It was the only out of town game for the season for the NAASCU as all six teams played at the SBMA Gym. The Olympians opened the first four minutes with a 5 – 2 lead and then clamped on defense on the hapless Titans to secure a 20 – 8 first quarter lead. The game also featured the much awaited match up of the two Cameroonian imports of the NAASCU – Henri Atanga Betayene of STI College and Aziz Mbomiko of AMACU. Seeing the two dark skinned Cameroonians battle for every possession while they were inside the court is reminiscent of the PBA Wars. It’s just like watching the PBA with their imports inside the court. Betayene was a monster on the boards and just about changed almost every shot hurled inside the shaded lane. Betayene, together with Maclean Sabellina underscored the OIympian’s defense by blocking at least four shots each. This defense led to a 41- 21 lead at the half.

Gabo passes the ball to Cedric Ablaza who scores off the drive


At the start of the third quarter, everyone was anticipating the Olympians to put their offensive gear up another notch but unfortunately the Olympians offense was in disarray. The Titans opened the quarter with eight consecutive points to lower the cut their deficit 41 – 29. The efficient offensive flow of the Olympians went sour as they could not buy a basket for eight minutes! If they were going up against other teams, the Olympians would have been buried alive but fortunately their defense once again worked wonders and when they finally scored on two fastbreaks and a buzzer beating three pointer by Jerald Bautista the Olympians were back on the groove and ended the quarter on top by 16 points. By the time the fourth quarter started everything was moot and academic as the Titans never had a chance in this game as the Olympians coasted to a 20 point victory to get a hold of a tie for 2nd place.

Six foot three Forward Cedric Ablaza and veteran forward Gerald Bautista once again topscored for the Olympians with 13 points each. Center Maclean Sabellina made up for his so – so performance against the UM Hawks by swatting countless shots and scoring points off nice passes and tear drop shots. He scored 10 points. Betayene, sore knees and all did not make much offensively but is still the big intimidating man in the middle whose defensive presence changed the complexion of the game.

STI COLLEGE (61)

Ablaza 13, Bautista 13, Sabellina 10, Morales 7, Ihalas 7, Daguplo 4, Gabo 3, Melano 2, Betayene 2, Bocablo 0, Riva 0, Po 0, Villadoz 0,

AMACU (41)

Ibarra 7, Edibag 7, dela Rosa 7, Mbomiko 5, Mangalindan 4, Maravilla 4, Narag 4, Regala 2, Matias 2, Cabico 0, Alvarado 0, del Rosario 0

Quarterscores: 20 – 8, 41 – 21, 48 – 32 , 61 - 41

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