STI College Global City wins National Basketball Tournament

The 2015 STI National Basketball Tournament Champion

STI College Global City

Redemption. What a difference a year makes. Before, STI College Global City had a hard time figuring out the trapping defense of STI College Santa Rosa, their interior defense was always napping and their teamwork was a mess.  Learning from their mistakes from previous encounters against one of the best basketball teams in STI history, STI College Global City redeemed themselves by taking care of the ball better, shutting down the shaded lane and played with a bigger heart to pull the rug from under STI College Santa Rosa 76 – 69 and capture the STI National Basketball Tournament National Title.

Mike Sampurna scores

Graduating seniors Elmer Labis Jr., Arjay Napeñas, Anthony Jeanssen Pangilinan and Jim Lontoc together with Mike Sampurna poured their hearts out in final quarter to open up a 68 -60 lead in the final 3:45 minutes of play. The Global City offense was clicking this time around as Jim Lontoc rediscovered his shooting touch while Mike Sampurna scored off his usual drives to the basket. STI College Santa Rosa plugged the middle and made it hard for Pangilinan to score but left out another big man Arjay Napeñas whose offensive rebounds and put backs were crucial in the game.

 Jim Lontoc ices the game 

with these two free throws

Elmer Labis Jr. came out on top of the statistical race to become the first MVP of the STI National Basketball Tournament.  Labis scored 15 points, hauled down 13 rebounds, issued 8 assists, had 3 steals and 1 block shot which showed his versatility. The MVP race was a close one with Pangilinan coming in a close second. Pangilinan together with Mike Sampurna, June Aliparo and Raul Guerrero comprise the tournament’s Mythical 5.

June Aliparo led Santa Rosa

with 21 points

The Global City win marked the end of an era as they replace the Laguna based squad as the best STI team in the country.  For STI College Santa Rosa, they have nothing to be ashamed of. In this game, it was unfortunate that their ace gunner June Aliparo had an off night. When Global City raced to an eight point lead, Aliparo had chances to get them back but his booming three pointers took a day off. He eventually deserted his long bombs and still manufactured some points by driving to the basket. Unfortunately it was not enough to make a last ditch comeback as the Santa Rosa offense was in disarray as their shots were not falling and their inside game became non-existent. Aliparo still scored 21 points but went 8 of 30 from the field, 4 of 22 from beyond the arc and was 1 of 12 in the second half.

Tournament MVP - Elmer Labis Jr.

The STI National Basketball Tournament attracted fifty teams from all over the country with 34 teams coming from Luzon, six from the Visayas region and 10 from Mindanao. Eight teams made it to the National Finals and it was a beauty seeing all basketball programs come together in one venue. All games of the National Finals were officiated by the referees from the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas and FIBA Livestats were available. Coaches were given updates on the game statistics on points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocked shots, points in the paint, turnover, turnover points and other information to know more on how their teams played. A fitting innovation of the STI National Basketball Tournament.

STI's best: Center - Elmer Labis, 

Guards June Aliparo & Raul Guerrero

Forwards: Anthony Jeanssen Pangilinan & Mike Sampurna 

Box scores

STI COLLEGE GLOBAL CITY (76)

Lontoc 17, Labis 15, Sampurna 15, Pangilinan 12, Napeñas 8, Veluz 4, Carlos 4,  Cudal 1,

STI COLLEGE SANTA ROSA (69)

Aliparo 21, Guerrero 11, Caraan 10, Almoro 8, Fudotan 6, Ursua 5, Lizen 4, Mamaed 3, Romeo 1, Hercia 0

Quarter scores

15 – all, 31 – 36, 53 – 50, 76 - 69

STI West Negros University gets third place

STI West Negros University: Second Runner-up

After three days of the eliminations, STI West Negros University stamped its class on STI College Koronadal 84 - 75 to take third place honors at the final day of the STI National Basketball Tournament.  The gritty Visayans showed their firepower as they led from start to finish to beat their Mindanao brothers of the one week National Finals in this 50 team tournament that featured the best in the Visayas and Mindanao region.

Jhan Mac Nermal operates inside

Do it all forward Jhan Mac Nermal scored 22 points, had 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 steal and 4 block shots to lead the NOPSCCEA champions to victory. Small Forward Kraniel Villoria and point guard Renz Solomon each scored 13 points to support Nermal’s offensive explosion. The Visayans were in control of the game and even had their other bench players play extensive minutes.  Phil Pajanconi and Max Dunlap, two players who did not play in their game against STI College Santa Rosa, suited up and scored 12 and 9 points respectively to give the STI WNU offense some new looks.

Villoria on the drive

STI College Koronadal’s never say die attitude was evident as they brought down a once 21 point lead down to seven and settled for a nine point loss – their biggest losing margin. Leading the way for the Mindanao team was 6’3 Center Kenneth Libdan who had a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds while their other big man Dan Ignacio scored 14 points also. Bernard Caguisano was the only other player to score in double figures with 12 points as ace gunner Jason Estares was held to down to 7 points. This game just shows that the talent level in the Visayas and Mindanao is just the same as the ones in the Luzon region.

Libdan sinks this jumper 

BOX SCORES

STI WEST NEGROS UNIVERSITY (84)

Nermal 22, Solomon 13, Villoria 13, Pajanconi 12, Dunlap 9, Arandes 8, Pastias 4, Vizcarra 3, Cadase 0, Valdez 0, Yap 0

STI COLLEGE KORONADAL (75)

Libdan 14, Ignacio 14, Caguisano B. 12, Puerto 8, Estares 7, Orocio 6, Palmes 6, Sulit 6, Lopez 2, Caguisano J. 0, Valencia 0,

Quarter scores:

18 – 14, 47 – 32, 64 – 53,  84 - 75

Repeat or Redemption? A preview of the STI NBT FInals

June Aliparo scores on the fastbreak

One team is seeking a repeat win of last year’s STI Basketball showdown that showcased the best STI basketball teams in Luzon while the other one is seeking redemption after learning from last year’s finals encounter.  The last two teams among fifty STI schools that joined the STI National Basketball Tournament is  College Santa Rosa which is seeking a repeat win against STI College Global City who is now seeking redemption. Repeat or Redemption?

Mike Sampurna lays it in

STI College Santa Rosa has the more experienced and complete team since anyone can score from this team. This year, their offense will rely mostly on the marksmanship of ace guard June Aliparo who averaged 22.33 points in the three games of the Laguna based Luzon champs. Aliparo also came out big in their hard earned conquest of STI WNU yesterday.  Supporting Aliparo are their ace guards Mark Caraan, Raul Guerrero and Jhon Ursua. These three guys can definitely pick your pocket, score on the run and squeeze in a three if needed. Up front are the triumvirate of 6’3 big men Dan Mamaed, Addis Lizen and Jan Almoro. They are Santa Rosa’s last line of defense and in their last game, the three outrebounded the STI WNU bigs 35 – 25.

Dan Mamaed on a put back

STI College Global City on the other hand have bulked up and are bigger up front with 6’5 Elmer Labis manning the paint together with 6’3 Arjay Napenas and 6’2 Anthony Pangilinan. At the same time, shooting guard Jim Lontoc and slasher Mike Sampurna are also there to provide additional firepower when needed.  King Carlos and Raymond Veluz alternate at the point guard position and are out to counter the pressure defense of their Laguna based opponents.

Elmer Labis scores on the drive

STI College Santa Rosa’s no nonsense full court pressure defense will be their bread and butter to negate the height of STI College Global City. The Taguig based cagers on the other hand will have to work hard on defense to catch up on the fast running guards of the Laguna champs to be able to stay in the game until the final minutes of the game. In the end it will all boil down to who wants it more. The player’s heart will decide if it will be a repeat for one team or redemption for the other. You choose. Game time is at 4:30 pm after the 3:00 pm battle for third place of STI College Koronadal and STI West Negros University.

STI College Koronadal ousts STI College Balagtas

Estares drives to the basket

Estares born. That should be a fitting title to STI Koronadal’s Jayson Estares, a title that came from the movie “A star is Born.” Estares willed his Mindanao team to summon their never say die spirit to come back and beat a stubborn STI College Balagtas team 75 – 71 and take second spot of Group B and the right to fight it out with STI West Negros University for third place in the STI National Basketball Tournament National Finals.

Points in the paint for STI College Koronadal

Playing superb ball handling skills, the STI College Koronadal team was able to break the vaunted trapping defense of STI College Balagtas and score on fastbreaks as well. The team from South Cotabato opened up an eleven point lead at the start of the fourth quarter 61 – 50 with 8 minutes left. This prompted Coach Carlo Tan to call a time out and regroup. Eventually his boys responded by coming up with a 9 – 0 run in the next two minutes, now it was Coach Erald Rosal’s time to call a time out.

San Pedro topscored for STI College Balagtas

After that Elmer Palmes scored on a three pointer to make it 64 – 59 with 5:47 left. Then STI College Balagtas countered once again with a 10 – 2 run anchored on David Guhiting and Aries Estanislao that gave them the upper-hand and momentum with a 69 – 66 lead and time down to 2:05 left in the game.

 Libdan scores

Then came the heroics of Estares as he drained a three pointer from a botched play that tied the count 69 – all with 1:21 second left.  After trading baskets, Estares iced the game with two free throws to give the Mindanao squad the second place in Group B of this nationwide tournament.

Palmes jumper

Box scores:

STI COLLEGE KORONADAL (75)

Estares 21, Orocio 13, Palmes 11, Puerto 7, Caguisano B. 6, Libdan 5, Sulit 4, Lopez 4, Caguisano J. 0, Valencia 0

STI COLLEGE BALAGTAS (71)

San Pedro 12, Estanislao 11, Oraye 10, Guhiting 10, Rafols 9, Miranda 7, Reyes 6, Macapagal 6, Cervantez 0,

Quarter scores:

 16 – 19, 39 – 34, 56 – 50, 75 -71 

STI College Global City sweeps Group B.

Anthony Jansen Pangilinan was a beast in the paint

STI College Global City used its game against STI College Ortigas-Cainta as a means to sharpen their teeth and prepare for a bigger battle but nonetheless beat the Rizal based cagers 104 – 83 to take the top spot in Group B with a 3 – 0 slate and arrange a showdown with their tormentors last year.  STI College Global City lost to STI College Santa Rosa in last year’s final of the STI Basketball showdown.

Elmer Labis drives to the middle

Seven of the eight global city players that suited up scored in double digits with only Jim Lontoc not scoring in twin digits since he played for only 13 minutes and let his other teammates score.  On the other side, the usual players carrying STI College Ortigas-Cainta showed up to play with Bandam Locsin scoring 18 points and a returning Jeff Estabillo adding 17 markers while Hervin Deniega chipped in 10 points.

Lorrence Cudal drives to the basket

Anthony Jansen Pangilinan once again lorded over the paint as he was the unstoppable force that the Global City squad had. Pangilinan ended up having a double-double by scoring 21 points and hauling down 13 rebounds. Seldom used reserves Lorrence Cudal, Kley Lumelay and Jejomar Baldoza got ample playing time and all three scored in double figures with Cudal scoring 12 points while Lumelay and Baldoza both had 10 apiece.

Jeff Estabillo drives to the hoop

STI College Global City stuck to their strength with 58 points in the paint, 25 second chance points and 21 fastbreak points. Global City also outrebounded their hapless opponents 58 – 27 to runaway with the game. They will now face the top team in Group A, STI College Santa Rosa for the right to become the first champion of the STI National Basketball Tournament.

Jejomar Baldoza hangs in the air

Box Scores:

STI COLLEGE GLOBAL CITY (104)
Pangilinan 21, Labis 17, Sampurna 14, Veluz 12, Cudal 12, Baldoza 10, Lumelay 10, Lontoc 8,

STI COLLEGE ORTIGAS-CAINTA (83)

Locsin 18, Estabillo 17, Deniega 10, Palanca 9, Alcantara 8, Afuang 6, Francisco 4, Pilapil 4, Abes 4, Alvarado 3, Pedida 0

Quarter scores:

28 – 13, 50  - 34, 77 – 65, 104 - 83

STI College Santa Rosa beats STI West Negros University 66 - 64

June Aliparo found ways for his team to win

If this tournament were the popular employee league like the Interbank commercial league, then STI College Santa Rosa would be BDO and their monicker – We find ways!  Trailing most of the second half, the five-time STI Basketball Showdown champions found a way to cut a four point deficit in the last minute and come from behind to eke out a hard earned 66 – 64 win against the Visayas champions STI West Negros University. The win gave the Laguna based squad the top seed in Group A and a ticket to the championship game for the right to become the first National Champion of the STI National Basketball tournament. 

Just one of Raul Guerrero's jumpers

June Aliparo was hounded by the STI WNU defenders and was having a hard time finding his range. He eventually found ways to get open, drive to the basket and score on jumpers. Aliparo sank 5 of the 21 three pointers he took with the most important one coming in the last 35 seconds of the game with STI WNU still ahead. Aliparo’s three pointer gave the lead to STI College Santa Rosa for good as the Bacolod based cagers were not able to convert in the final minute with the four possessions they had. 

STI WNU Defense

The game which was highly anticipated lived up to its billing as both teams would counter each other’s run every time one team was about to pull away. Both teams led by 9 points and each one would catch up once a team was pulling away.  STI College Santa Rosa also found a way to battle back as Raul Guerrero used his veteran savvy to score 14 points mostly on jumpers while Dan Mamaed used his heft and bulk to collar 12 offensive rebounds and score 10 points with the most important put back coming with one minute left to cut the STI WNU lead 62 – 64. In the end, STI College Santa Rosa won the hustle battle as the most important statistic was their 32 – 8 advantage on offensive rebounds which translated to a 21 - 11 edge on second chance points.

Mark Caraan scores on this jumper

STI WNU was once again led by their awesome foursome in Kobe Vizcarra, Kraniel Villoria, Jhan Nermal and Renz Solomon. Their offense came from the four but unfortunately buckled in the endgame.  STI College Santa Rosa now guns for the most coveted plum against the team they beat last year STI College Global City.  STI West Negros University and STI College Koronadal will battle for third place.

Dan Mamaed, rebound and putback

STI COLLEGE SANTA ROSA (66)

Aliparo 24, Guerrero 14, Mamaed 10, Ursua 6, Peña 3, Lizen 4, Caraan 4, Almoro 1, Fudotan 0, Hercia 0

STI WEST NEGROS UNIVERSITY (64)

Vizcarra 19, Solomon 13, Nermal 11, Villoria 10, Pastias 6, Arandes 3, Cadase 2, Belocura 0,

Quarter scores:

14 – 13, 30 – 29, 45 – 49, 66 - 64

STI College Malolos beats Dasmarinas, ends up 3rd in Group A

Carlo Jimenez stat line

16 pts, 10 rebs, 11 assts

STI College Malolos point guard Carlo Jimenez unfolded his complete game to help his team beat the hard fighting STI College Dasmariñas team 98 – 92.  Jimenez scored 16 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, issued 11 assists and had 2 steals to show his all-around brilliance in  destroying their Cavite counterparts. The win gave the Malolos squad their first win and third place in Group A of the STI National Basketball tournament National Finals.

Quetua scores inside

Supporting Jimenez were the guys he passed the ball to during the numerous fastbreaks they had, Ralph Bonifacio, Arche Salo, Glenn Bautista and Jovito Quetua. The Bulacan boys forced the Cavite boys to 21 turnovers and scored 28 fastbreak points.  This time around STI College Malolos converted 51% of their field goals as against their poor shooting the past few games.

Kim Bungubung drains a three

STI College Dasmariñas showed its fighting heart as it went on to finals playing with just seven men after some of its players were injured.  Kim Bungubung led the team in scoring for the second straight day as he scattered 24 points after shooting 6 of 10 from the two point area and 4 of 9 from beyond the arc. His other teammates who made significant contributions should also be lauded – Rhaygie Matsuo, RJay Villaruz, Paul Gabotero and Rommel Batiancila.  

Bonifacio sizzles with this point

After one quarter STI College Dasmarinas was still ahead of their Malolos counterparts. But when STI College Malolos stepped on the pedal, there was no turning back. The Bulakenyos eventually opened up a 9 point lead at the half which ballooned to 21 after three quarters. A fitting testament to the Malolos defense and great execution on offense. Both teams really fought well.

Box scores.

STI College Malolos (98)

Bonifacio 18, Quetua 16, Jimenez 16, Salo 13, Bautista 10, Cruz 9, Gatchalian 7, Sayo 5, Tamayo 4, Angeles 0

STI College Dasmariñas (72)

Bungubung 24, Gabotero 15, Matsuo 12, Lago 9, Villaruz 8, Batiancila 2, Mendoza 2,

Quarter scores

21 – 23, 48 – 39, 75 – 54, 98 - 72

STI College Global City gets its second win

Easy two points for Jim Lontoc

STI College Global City played with fire and almost got burned as the gritty STI College Koronadal team pushed them to the wall but unfortunately lost steam in the end. The Global City squad again got the breaks in the end to escape with a 71 – 61 win which virtually pushed the Taguig based squad to the finals of the STI National Basketball Tournament National Finals.  The last game of the Global City squad is STI College Ortigas-Cainta which got booted out after absorbing their second loss.

Jayson Estares scores on this jumper

The game started with STI College Global City firing on all cylinders with Jim Lontoc hitting a three pointer and Jansen Pangilinan scoring inside at will and Mike Sampurna scoring on fast breaks and just like that the Global City team was on top 18 - 7 with 3:13 left. The STI College Koronadal team eventually sued for time, regrouped and came out with fire in their eyes as their no nonsense defense and more fluid offense cut the Global City lead after the first quarter. It ended with Global City on top 24 -16.  The Koronadal team’s bench outscored the Global City squad’s bench 18 – 6 to cut the Global city lead at the half 41 – 35. 

Mike Sampurna scores on this

Just when the Global City team was about to break away, the annoying defense of the Koronadal team got into them making them miss on fast breaks and made the Taguig based team bleed for their points.  The Global City team went up 48 – 39 but then again faltered when the Koronadal team cut their lead 44 – 48 on a three pointer by Elmer Palmes with 3:10 to go.  Then the third quarter ended with the Global City team having a hard time providing separation for them and the team from Koronadal. 

Pangilinan was the difference

After Elmer Labis scored off a rebound with 7:37 left in the game and the Global City squad ahead 57 – 49, the Mindanao champions countered with a 9 – 2 run to cut the lead to one 58 – 59 with 4:27 left after.  The Global City team sued time and then went exclusively to the paint as Pangilinan and Labis combined for six points to give more space for the Global City team 67 – 58. Jim Lontoc then finished off the Koronadal team with two unmolested fastbreaks to put the game beyond recall. This is the lowest score the Global City team had in the tournament.

Loose ball battle

The Box Scores

STI COLLEGE GLOBAL CITY (71)

Pangilinan 22, Lontoc 17, Labis 11, Sampurna 11, Veluz 8, Cudal 2, Baldoza 0, King 0, Lumelay 0, Napeñas  0,

STI COLLEGE KORONADAL (61)

Lopez 13, Estares 12, Libdan 7, Ignacio 6, Palmes 6, Puerto 4, Sulit 4, Valencia 4, Caguisano B. 3, Orocio 2, Caguisano J. 0,

Quarter Scores:

24 – 16, 41 – 35, 53 – 47, 71 - 61

STI College Balagtas bounces back with a rout

Two of Kevin Miranda's 22 points

STI College Balagtas once again went back to its winning ways by employing their punishing full court pressure defense to turn back STI College Ortigas-Cainta at the resumption of the STI National Basketball tournament National Finals to the tune of a 121 – 59 rout.  Six players led by forward Kevin Miranda scored in double figures as the balanced scoring of the Bulacan based team rotated well and was always fresh whenever needed to give their opponents another 40 minutes of hell shellacking.

Juan Alcantara collars the rebound

The Balagtas team actually started slowly and was looking at a 9 – 15 deficit after ORCA’s Allen Abes scored on a basket with 3:45 left in the first quarter. This woke up the Balagtas team as they countered with a 15 – 5 run to end the first quarter with a 24 – 20 lead.  When the second quarter started, the Balagtas defense went full throttle as their pressure defense made the ORCA team turn the ball around that resulted into quick points for the Bulacan team.  To show how tenacious the Balagtas defenders are, their defense allowed only 6 points for the ORCA team in the second quarter and they started it by scoring 21 unanswered points. It was only in the 3:25 mark when Kenneth Afuang sank a three pointer to put the Rizal based Orca Team on the board for the second quarter.

Angelito Oraye goes for a lay-up

The second half had the same storyline as the STI College Balagtas cagers were relentless on defense and unforgiving on the offensive end. The Bulakeños allowed only 13 points and steamrolled to 31 points through their hard work and team work. By the fourth quarter, the second unit of Coach Carlo Tan were as unrelenting as their first stringers with John Mendoza and Angelito Oraye this time taking turns to torch the Orca team. Miranda ended up with 22 points, Angelito Oraye had a double – double with 17 points and 11 rebounds.  Hervin Deniega and Eivan Pedida paced the Ortigas-Cainta team by scoring 13 and 11 points respectively.

The mid-air battle

The Box Scores

STI COLLEGE BALAGTAS (121)

Miranda 22, Oraye 17, Mendoza 16, Rafols 15, San Pedro 12, Guhiting 12, Reyes 9, Estanislao 9,  Joson 6, Macapagal 3,

STI COLLEGE ORTIGAS-CAINTA (59)

Deniega 13, Pedida 11, Locsin 10, Abes 8, Alcantara 7, Afuang 4, Palanca 4, Francisco 2, Alvarado 0

Quarter scores:

 24 – 20, 58 – 26, 91 – 39, 121 – 59

STI College Santa Rosa continue their winning ways

The Santa Rosa Triggerman June Aliparo

Pop Quiz. What was hotter than the weather today? Answer - STI College Santa Rosa’s shooting guard June Aliparo’s shooting.  Aliparo torched the STI College Malolos with a game high 32 points to lead the STI College Santa Rosa team to a convincing 87 – 58 win and score their second win in Group A of the STI National Basketball Tournament National Finals.  One more win and the Santa Rosa team, winners of five STI Basketball showdown titles, will enter the finals against the top team from Group B.

Jan Almoro on a jumper

The Laguna based Santa Rosa team started scoring like a house on fire as veteran guard Norbert Pena and June Aliparo took turns in torching the hoop.  In a matter of five minutes the score had the Santa Rosa team comfortably ahead 17 – 4 with Peña and Aliparo each scoring 7 points. Coach Chit Jimenez of Malolos immediately called a timeout to address the sudden surge of their opponent. Unfortunately, that was just a precursor of what was to happen as Aliparo continued his hot shooting by scoring off three more three pointers and a jumper. At the end of the first quarter, the STI College Malolos team had 14 points while Aliparo had 18.

Ralph Bonifacio scores for STI College Malolos

STI College Malolos through Carlo Jimenez, Jovito Quetua and Arche Salo tried to mount a comeback but unfortunately the Laguna based squad had all the answers for every three point play, jumper or inside incursion that the Malolos squad did. Backing up ALiparo and Pena was last year’s basketball showdown MVP Jan Almoro and Jhon Ursua. Almoro, Addis Lizen and Dan Mamaed were like walls preventing the Malolos bigs to score inside while the guards hounded their counterparts the whole game.  STI College Santa Rosa will now battle the unbeaten Visayas champions, STI West Negros University, for the top spot in Group A and an outright seat to the championship.

Jestoni Hercia on the drive 

STI COLLEGE SANTA ROSA (87)

Aliparo 32, Peña 13, Ursua 9, Almoro 8, Guerrero 7, Hercia 6, Fudotan 4, Francisco 3, Lizen 2, Mamaed 2, Caraan 1, Romero 0,

STI COLLEGE MALOLOS (58)

Quetua 12, Bonifacio 11, Salo 8, Jimenez 8, Tamayo 6, Sayo 6, Bautista 4, Cruz 3,  Angeles 0, Gatchalian 0

Quarter scores: 36 – 14, 53 – 37, 74 – 45, 87 - 58