Olympians beat Hunters

Elmer Labis scores

The STI College Olympians used their signature pressure defense in the second and third quarter to get enough cushion to cruise to a 74 -  65 against the never say die New Era Hunters.  The Olympians torched the nets at will as the shooting of Abby Chavez and Paul dela Peña combined with the inside presence of Cedric Ablaza and Maclean Sabellina spelled doom for the Hunters.   The Olympians  thus got their second consecutive win as they stay on course with the leaders St. Clare College and Centro Escolar University which both notched their third consecutive victories the other day. The games have been played at the Lumera Towers Gym in Legarda for the second consecutive day.

Paul dela Peña on the drive

The Olympians and Hunters were like boxers in the first quarter wherein both where trying to look for an opening and ways on how to counter each other’s offense prowess.  New recruit Paul dela Peña started things rolling for the Olympians as he scored on a three pointer and a drive to the basket. At the end of one quarter the Olympians had a hard time shaking off the pesky Hunters with a 17 -14 lead. 

Maclean Sabellina blocks the shot

The second quarter changed the complexion of the whole game as the Olympians defense became tighter which forced the Hunters to turn the ball over and miss a couple of shots.  The Olympians then used the misfortunes of the Hunters into something good as the turnovers were converted into points. Abby Chavez led the onslaught with two three pointers while the rest of the team added their share of points as the Olympians took control of the game. In a blink of eye the Olympians  raced to a 45 -26 lead as the Taguig based STIers scored 28 second quarter points and more importantly limited the Hunters to just 12 points.

In the third quarter the Olympians rebuffed all rallies mounted by the Hunters as they limited the Adonis Tierra coached squad to only twelve points. Because of that, the Olympians padded their lead to 23 at the end of the third canto as they entered the fourth quarter with a commanding 61- 38 lead.  Unfortunately for the Olympians the Hunters woke up from their slumber and orchestrated a final comeback which was predicated on their former Juniors stand out Leo Roncal. The Hunters took advantage of the lackadaisical stance of the Olympians in the fourth quarter as they scored twenty seven fourth quarter points to get back to the game. Unfortunately for the Hunters time ran out on them as the Olympians coasted to a nine point win.

Abby Chavez breakaway lay up

The Junior Olympians on the other hand barely worked up a sweat in disposing the Trace Junior stallions to the tune of a 122 – 56 demolition of the Los Baños based Juniors squad.  Patrick Aquino’s 30 points led six Junior Olympians that scored in double figures as Jim Lontoc added 13 points, Josh Raymundo and Nino Romano each scored 12 points, while Erven Silverie added 11  marked and Arjay Napeñas added 10 points. The Junior Olympians are still unbeaten and are slated to play against the AMA Junior Titans on Monday.

The scores

RK Morales on the drive

STI COLLEGE JUNIOR OLYMPIANS (122 )

Aquino 30, Lontoc 13, Raymundo 12, Romano 12, Silverie 11, Napenas 10, Justiniani 10, Ngolong 9, Parinas 8, Baquiran 3, Pangilinan 3, Jimenez 2.

TRACE COLLEGE JUNIOR STALLIONS (56 )

Herradura 13, Martin 12, Magpantay 10, Mariano 5, Nunez 4, Delos reyes 3, Quinia 3, Despera 2, Redondo 2, Cuevas 2, Angeles 0, Lumibao 0, Ogalin 0.

Quarter scores:   30-15, 65-38, 101-49, 122-56.

STI COLLEGE (74 )

Sabellina 12, Ablaza 12, Chavez 11, Dela pena 8, Moraga 6, Moreno 6, Labis 5, Morales 4, Riva 4, Bocablo 4, Francisco 2, Ohandja 0, Ortega 0, Saldana 0.

NEW ERA UNIVERSITY (65)

Santos 16, Roncal 15, Sevilla 14, Orbase 4, Bebit 4, Sarmiento 4, Cabacungan 3, Talastas 2, Reynoso 2, Faner 1, Molina 0.

Quarterscores     17-14, 45-26, 61-38, 74-65.