STI College OrCa outduels STI College Novaliches 90 - 78

John del Rosario led STI College OrCa's comeback

STI College Ortigas-Cainta can simply be this year’s comeback kings. The last four games of the Rizal based cagers saw them win two of the games after trailing in the last five minutes and another one today as they got back from 12 points down to beat STI College Novaliches 90 – 78. The win gave the Rizal based cagers a shimmer of hope after absorbing their first loss in the tournament yesterday. 

Vincent Vigil slices one in

John del Rosario, Vincent Vigil and Daniel Reyes presided over the STI College OrCa comeback with del Rosario pouring in a game high of 30 points. STI College Novaliches was led by their shifty point guard Nesty Taguba and got ample support from his team mates but unfortunately ran out of steam in the endgame. Taguba scored 16 points while the trio of Joash Rupisan, Albeth Camay and Rosman Lee each scored 13 points apiece.

Nesty Taguba rattles a three

After a precarious two point lead at the end of the first quarter, STI College Novaliches worked on their defense to force the Ortigas-Cainta team to nine turnovers which they took advantage by scoring nine points off their turnovers. STI College Novaliches would end the half up by ten points as they were smelling the sweet scent of revenge. Unfortunately for them, the difference of the first and second half was like night and day as STI College Novaliches shooting suddenly turned cold. 

Intense loose ball action

In the third quarter, STI College OrCa forced STI College Novaliches to ten turnovers which they converted to 17 points enroute to a 30 point third quarter. The Rizal based cagers held the Quezon City team to just ten points in the quarter and seized the upperhand at the end of 30 minutes of action 59 – 51. 

Al-Balushi challenges Rupisan on this shot

STI College OrCa would hold on to their fourth quarter lead as Del Rosario and Vigil once again provided the firepower to quell all rallies mounted by STI College Novaliches.  Nesty Taguba and Rosman Lee lit up the boards once again as they gave STI College Novaliches one last push to salvage a win, unfortunately though STI College OrTigas Cainta had the answers everytime they were threatened which as a direct opposite to their previous game wherein their offense froze after a while.

Daniel Reyes scores 

Box scores:

STI COLLEGE ORTIGAS – CAINTA (90)

Del Rosario 30 ,  Vigil  14, Reyes 13 , Castillo 10, Palanca 6  , Domo  5, Tam-is  5, Al-Balushi  4, Alcantara 3, Afuang  0, Zapanta  0, Cadiente  0,

STI COLLEGE NOVALICHES (78)

Taguba 16 , Camay 13,  Lee 13,  Rupisan 13, Ma 10 , Camposano 8, Parinas 4, Varcas 1, Esternon , Cuadra 0,

Quarter scores: 15 – 17, 29 – 41, 59 – 51, 90 – 78