STI NBT: STI College Balagtas routs STI College Koronadal

Jason Maglalang sizzles with his jump hook

STI College Balagtas flexed its muscles from start to finish and the result was an 85 – 52 massacre of STI College Koronadal to open the STI National Finals with a well-deserved win.  Still smarting from their elite 8 loss to STI College Ortigas-Cainta that relegated them to Group B, the Bulacan based Balagtas team was no nonsense this time as their physical plays, superb defense and free flowing offense got on track as all 11 players scored while limiting their opponents to just 52 points.

Ivan Macapagal scores on a three pointer

The Bulacan based Balagtas team opened the game with a 7 – 4 run as Jayson Maglalang opened the scoring while Paul Macapagal scored on a fastbreak and three pointer. This jumpstart helped STI College Balagtas erect an early 12 – 6 lead. STI College Koronadal sued for time, regrouped and countered with a 6 – 3 that saw them catch up at 15 – 12 with barely a  minute left in the quarter. This was the closest STI College Koronadal ever had in the game because after that the as the quarter ended with STI College Balagtas on top 19 – 11.

Ronald Famulag for a jumper

In the second quarter STI College Balagtas steeped on the pedal as Angelito Oraye presided over a lopsided quarter that saw the team Bulacan score 25 points while limiting their opponents to only 11 points.  STI College Koronadal bled for their points as the resilient Balagtas team looked like they were the ones behind when the defended their opponents.

Renzy Ecamin lays the ball in

Unfortunately for the Mindanao champions, the second half had the same story as STI College Balagtas stamped will on the Koronadal team and never looked back to score a rout.The lone bright spot for STI College Koronadal was Cris Valencia who was the only player in double figures with 11 markers. The other players were shut down including their scorer Bernard Caguisano Jr. who was held to 3 points.  The road to redemption for STI College Balagtas is clearer now and they are just a few steps away from the National title.

Jonas Reyes scores on the run

STI COLLEGE BALAGTAS (85)

Maglalang 14, Macapagal 14 , Oraye 12 , Ecamin  9, Peralta 9, Reyes  7, Mallari  7, Plastina  4, Mendoza  4, Baltazar 3, Joson  2,

STI COLLEGE KORONADAL (52)

Valencia 11, Morte 8, Soliva 8, Castillo 6, Famulag 6, Sulit 5, Ala-an 4, Caguisano B.  3, Bejasa 1, Libdan 0, Caguisano J.  0, Lopez 0,

Quarter scores:  19 – 11, 44 – 22, 67 – 39, 85 – 52