Thursday, September 13, 2012

Olympians play exhibition match


STI College and ACB

The STI College Olympians are gracious hosts but will always give you a cold reception when it comes to basketball games. The Olympians gave the visiting Australian College of Basketball 18 and under National Team a lesson or two in Philippine basketball as the Olympians beat the Aussie teeners 84 -66 at the STI Gym in the Bonifacio Global City in Taguig City. Seldom used forward Helino Francisco led the Olympians onslaught as the man dubbed as the Olympian’s secret weapon showed the teeners from down under how basketball is supposed to be played.   Francisco led the scoring with 20 markers as local find Jim Patrick Lontoc gave the Global City crowd something to cheer about with his booming three pointers finding its mark. The Olympians fielded a mixture of Seniors and Juniors players since both teams have just come from a game the previous day.

Elmer Labis fouled


The Australian College of Basketball is Australia’s way of creating their own basketball legends. Everyone remembers Luc Longley who was Michael Jordan’s center in his second run for three titles. Andrew Gaze who was the many time Australian Olympian and just recently Shane Heel who was the Aussies stocky point guard.  Just recently, Australia has made an effort to create more basketball heroes by creating grassroots programs in basketball and this tour in manila will definitely help their cause in the international scene.


Jim Lontoc is so phenomenal

The game against the Olympians is the Aussies fifth game in four days with the previous four against the Ateneo Blue Eagles Team B, the Trace Stallions, and the Ginebra Gin Kings. The tour of the Aussie teens was arranged by former Blue Eagle and PBA player Fritz Gaston who is at the helm of promoting Sports tourism in the country. 

Franciso on the board


The Olympians who took part in this exhibition game are Marvin Moraga, Paul dela Pena, Ivan Moreno, Elmer Labis Jr., Carlo Saldaña, Jerome Ortega, and  Lester Bocablo were from the Seniors team while Nino Romano, Fernando Ngolong, John Roy Pariñas, Josh Raymundo, Arvin Detubio and Jim Lontoc were the juniors campaginers.


 Fernando Scores

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