STI College Koronadal squeaks past STI College ORCA

Kenneth Libdan scores

Nerves of steel. That is what the STI College Koronadal team is made of.  Imagine having to beat the highly favored STI College CDO team in the Mindanao finals and coming back to give the STI College Ortigas-Cainta team a close call via a 60 – 57 win. You have to give it to this ball club because their resiliency is unwavering and their determination is out of this world.

Almer Lopez battles Jeff Estabillo

The game was quite ugly with both teams having a shooting nightmare but it was also more of a track meet as both teams kept on running.  Both teams were feeling each other and took bad shots that resulted in a 11 – 10 lead by STI College Ortigas-Cainta. Sophomore Forward Allen Abes presided over the Ortigas-Cainta attack by scoring 11 points while Jayson Estares countered with 9 points and played catch up that resulted in a 29 – all score after the first quarter.

Bandam Locsin scores

The game was close from the third quarter on as there were 15 lead changes and was tied 5 times. The taller Koronadal players pounded the paint as they scored 40 of their 60 points inside the box while Team ORCA could only muster 24 points inside.  Considering that STI College Koronadal had 22 turnovers and STI College ORCA had 13 steals, the Mindanaoans were still able to capitalize on the rare mistakes of their opponent.

Allen Abes gets a bucket

The game was decided during the final minute when STI College ORCA buckled while STI College Koronadal picked up the pieces by surging ahead in the last minute. The Cainta based cagers last stand was a three pointer by Bandam Locsin that cut the lead to two points 57 -59, unfortunately that was the last that was heard off from STI College ORCA. Jayson Estares had a double double by scoring 14 points and hauling down 11 rebounds. Locsin on the other hand had 16 for the ORCA team.

Koronadal defense

STI COLLEGE KORONADAL (60)

Estares 14, Palmes 13, Libdan 10, Puerto 6, Lopez 4, Caguisano B. 4, Valencia 3, Caguisano J. 2, Orocio 2, Ignacio 2, Sulit 0

STI COLLEGE ORTIGAS-CAINTA (57)

Locsin 16, Abes 11, Alcantara 10, Estabillo 8, Deniega 7, Palanca 3, Merque 2, Alvarado 0, Afuang 0, Francisco 0, Pedida 0

Quarter Scores

10 – 11, 29 – all, 40 – 44, 60 - 57