STI NBT: STI West Negros beats STI College Novaliches 87 - 64

Jay Carmona on the fastbreak

Defending champion STI West Negros University started its title defense on the right track as they waylaid STI College Novaliches to open the National Finals of the STI National Basketball Tournament.  STI WNU leads Group A in this five day finals with a win and is once again one of the favorites to retain their title.

Renz Solomon scores for STI WNU

STI NBT 2016 Mythical 5 selectee Renz Solomon started the game with two fastbreak baskets while Charry Cadase scored on a three pointer to give the defending champs a 7 – 0 lead to start the quarter. STI College Novaliches sued for time and started to neutralize the pressure defense of STI WNU to get back in the game. Both teams seem to be measuring each other as the quarter ended with STI WNU on top 18 – 12.

Joash Rupisan stretches for two

The second quarter started the same way as the first, STI WNU scattered six straight points to give the Bacolodians a 25 – 12 lead with still eight minutes to go. STI College Novaliches countered as Nesty Taguba scored off a three pointer to cut the lead to six 21 – 27. STI WNU would counter with Ronel Panogadia, Cadase and Solomon scoring on the run. The team from Bacolod settled for a 39 – 30 halftime lead.

This is an exciting point guard match-up

The second half was the same as STI WNU pulled away with timely hits and good defense. Solomon orchestrated the STI WNU offense with utmost precision and anchored their pressure defense as they gave their Quezon City counterparts no chance to mount a comeback.

Jaycee Adjei blocked this shot

Joash Rupisan and Rico Camposano led the Novaliches team with 12 points apiece. STI College Novaliches shot only 39% from the field while the defending champs had a field day by shooting 57% as they did it with less attempts but more conversions. Solomon’s over-all brilliance also included eight rebounds, seven assists and six steals.

Rouichi Belocura scores on the lay-up

The box scores:

STI WEST NEGROS (87)

Solomon 24  , Cadase 10 , Adjei 10, Belocura 8, Carumba 7, Panogadia 7, Carmona 6 , Dunlap 6, Pontevedra 4, Tan Jr.  3, Garde 2, Astorga 0 ,

STI COLLEGE NOVALICHES (64)

Rupisan 12, Camposano 12, Ma 11, Taguba 9, Camay 8,  Lee 6,  Esternon 2, Dagondong 2, Parinas 2, Cuadra 0, Varcas 0,

Quarter scores: 18 – 12, 39 – 30, 64 – 49, 87 – 64