STI WNU wins 2nd NBT Title

2017- 2018 STI NBT CHAMPIONS

STI WEST NEGROS UNIVERSITY

The Return of the King. When the final buzzer sounded last year during the 2016 – 2017 STI National Basketball Tournament Championship game, the reigning champions STI West Negros were dethroned by a determined STI College Santa Rosa team.  In that game, it was evident that the Laguna based cagers had more firepower than their Bacolod counterparts. This was the second time that the Bacolod team fell short against the Santa Rosa team.

Renz Solomon brought STI WNU 

to greater heights

As the West Negros team prepared for this season, the three remaining pioneers of STI WNU’s first NBT team, Renz Solomon, Charry Cadase and Rouichi Belocura vowed to get back what is rightfully theirs. First stop was beating STI College Santa Rosa in a highly defensive double overtime game. A day after they got back their title as they recovered in the nick of time during crunch time to beat STI College Balagtas 85 – 83 to become the first team to win the NBT twice.

Adjie for two

Renz Solomon got things going in the first few minutes of the game as he scored twelve of the first 14 points of STI WNU as he connected on two lay-ups, two free throws and two three pointers to give the Bacolod team an early 14 – 8 lead in the first minutes of the game as Solomon outscored the entire STI College Balagtas team in the early goings of the game. That eventually woke up the Balagtas defense and triggered their offense as they kept the game close in the first quarter with STI WNU taking a 23 – 19 lead.

Oraye scores to help his team 

get back into the game

STI West Negros would eventually dictate the tempo in the second quarter as they opened the 2^nd canto with an 11 – 0 run to put the West Negros team ahead 34 – 19 after three and a half minutes of play. After that, STI College Balagtas countered with a 12 – 2 run in the next three minutes to come to within five 36 – 31. Then STI WNU ended the quarter with a 6 – 0 run that had the West Negros team completely ahead 42 – 31.

Louie Badilles on the fastbreak

Like what most fans say, Basketball is a game or runs which was evident in the second half. STI West Negros started off with a 4 – 0 run to make the Bacolod team completely in command of the game with a 15 point lead 46 – 31 in the 9 minute mark. Acting like true champions, STI College Balagtas fought back again to erase that fifteen point deficit and tied the count at 52 – all as Jherome Mulano continued his game long brilliance by scoring 14 big points in that rally. Belocura then led a 10 – 4 closing run to end the quarter still ahead 62 – 56.

The Mythical 5 (L-R)

Angelito Oraye (Balagtas) Philip Majometano (WNU) Renz Solomon (WNU) Louie Badilles (WNU) Jayson Maglalang (Balagtas)

In the final canto both teams would try hard not to give each other some breathing room because of the defense. STI College Balagtas came back to life after STI WNU threatened to put the game away. Mulano and Oraye punctured the whole from thereon which resulted in STI College Balagtas cacthing up at 78 – all. It was at this juncture  that the clutch plays of Rouichi Belocura was witnessed. Belocura sank the game saving three pointer then Louie Badilles scored on a follow up to put the West Negros team ahead 83 - 78. Solomon would eventually seal the outcome with his free throw after STI College Balagtas turned the ball over in what would’ve been their game saving shot.

STI NBT 2017 - 2018 Season MVP

Renz Solomon

The Return of the King will be hard pressed to repeat next year as King Solomon, Cadase and Belocura will not be eligible next year. But the trio will always remember that they brought two titles to STI WNU and will be missed on how they made the STI WNU the best STI team in the whole country.

for the complete stats of the game please click this link

http://livestats.geniussports.com/webcast/STINBT/868608/

STI College Santa Rosa cops third

STI College Santa Rosa

STI NBT 2nd Runner-up

In one weekend, STI College Santa Rosa lost the top seeding in Group A and eventually lost its title. In their last game of the season the Laguna based squad quickly recovered their broken pieces and beat STI College Global City 94 - 83 to get third place of the STI National Basketball Tournament which was held at the Eusebio H. Tanco Gym in STI College Ortigas-Cainta.

Aliparo for three!!! 

This phrase will always be part of the NBT 

In his last game in the STI NBT, one of the leagues most prolific scorers, June Aliparo scattered 17 points as he went 3 for 9 beyond the arc in what is most probably his most relaxed game considering that the past two games all his defenders were literally in his face. Aliparo was last year's MVP and two time Mythical 5 selectee. The league will miss all his booming threes and clutch plays that has become his signature and who could forget his 37 point explosion in the Finals last year.

Tabudlong will be a big part of Global City's future

On the other side of the fence, also playing his last game was 2015 Mythical 5 selectee and part of the 2015 STI College Global City Champion team, Mike Sampurna scored 23 points in his farewell game. Although he led the charge of mostly with mostly newbies backing him up, he is confident that his team's time will come as he leaves his team of rookies with great hopes and good advices on how to get to the top.

Mike Sampurna's legendary acts will always be remembered in the NBT

Usually, the battle for third is a game without emotion. Teams that play are the ones that emotionally played their hearts out during the cross-over semifinals but still fell short. The game was quite like that as both teams just traded runs and baskets for the first half. The first quarter ended with both teams tied 19 - all. When the first half ended both teams were still tied at 40 - all.

Kent Fabic soars for this one

In the third quarter, STI College Santa Rosa finally made their move and their vaunted offense went full throttle. June Aliparo hit three jumpers, two free throws and two three pointers to score 14 points in the quarter and fuel the Santa Rosa offense that had the rest of the team contribute. Rookie Airon Lugar, who will most probably be next year's go to guy, also added four points in this quarter.

Airon Lugar will be returning next year 

to lead STI College Santa Rosa

STI College Global City staged a comeback in the fourth quarter but was quite half-baked and was easily quelled by the former champs. In the end, the more experienced team prevailed over the young guns. And like what they say, teams don't lose, but only learn from other teams and eventually try to mirror their success. Congrats to both teams for a season well played.

To view the full statistics of this game 

please click the link below

http://livestats.geniussports.com/webcast/STINBT/868607/

STI WNU dethrones champs

John Pastias for two

In what has to be the most exciting game of the year, STI West Negros finally got back at STI College Santa Rosa 90 – 88  as John Pastias threw a miracle shot that went in with 0.7 seconds left in the second overtime to send the West Negros team to the STI National Basketball Tournament National Finals Championship game.

Renz Solomon on a floater

The game was like a championship game, as the defending champions Santa Rosa and the team they unseated STI West Negros came up with a gem of game that needed an additional ten more minutes to settle the outcome. STI West Negros came out smoking in the first quarter as they opened the quarter with a 7 – 0 run in the first three minutes of the game. STI College Santa Rosa would then regroup and come back with a 10 – 6 run to get back into the game. West Negros would then take the quarter 20 -12.

 Aljassin Karamihan scores

STI College Santa Rosa played catch up most of the three quarters until June Aliparo happened. In their game against STI College Balagtas Aliparo had a hard time shaking off his defenders, this time he was able to get free and sink two three pointers that got them back to the game and the needed momentum shift that they have been looking for. The quarter ended with Santa Rosa only down by two, thanks to Aliparo who suddenly woke up from his slumber that ignited the Santa Rosa offense.

Cadase jumps high to score

Both teams traded baskets and no team had the clear momentum in the fourth quarter as the defense of both teams prevented each team from breaking away. The West Negros team had one or two players shadowing Aliparo while the Santa Rosa team would blitz West Negros point guard Renz Solomon every time he held the ball. The result was a 65- all tie in the last 43 seconds that eventually became the final score of the fourth quarter.

Adjie scores inside

STI West Negros and STI College Santa Rosa would not let each other blink nor anyone give some space to one another, thus a second overtime was needed to settle the score. Both teams were prepared to battle for a third overtime when Pastias came up with his heroics. STI WNU was led by the double double effort of Louie Badilles as he had 21 points and 20 rebounds. Pastias ably supported him by scoring 19 points while Charry Cadase who hit two crucial three pointers added 16 points and Renz Solomon scored 14. STI West Negros will now face STI College Balagtas for all the marbles.

For more stats of the game kindly follow the link below

http://livestats.geniussports.com/webcast/STINBT/868459/

FIBA LiveStats

STI College Balagtas enters the finals

Jewel Policarpio with a gem of a move

Balanced scoring, Relentless defense. That is what STI College Balagtas basketball is all about. It’s about giving your all on defense and knowing that someone will eventually be rewarded with a field goal, then the whole team benefits from that system. STI College Balagtas is the first team to enter the NBT National Finals championship game as the Team from the province of Bulacan beat STI College Global City 97 – 62 to finally get a chance to play for the much coveted trophy.

Oraye is a man among boys

Leading the charge for the Bulakeños is fourth year forward Angelito Oraye who showed tremendous toughness and grit as he scored 25 points and pulled down 14 rebounds. For Oraye, it was just another day in the office as he led his team from start to finish and more importantly inspired his team mates to give more than a hundred percent in defense. Oraye was the man among boys as he continuously punctured the hoops all day long.

Global City needed four more Mike Sampurna's in this game

STI College Global City on the other hand thought that their young guns were ready for the big battle. Unfortunately for them, the experience of STI College Balagtas showed as the team started to separate themselves from the boys with a 49 – 37 halftime lead. Even the steady play of Mike Sampurna and the clutch hands of John Atlobulan plus the scoring prowess of Allan Lintongan were not able to bail themselves in this one as the STI College Balagtas offense went full throttle in the second half.

Plastina with a bucket

Like an insurance firm, STI College Balagtas had everything covered. Centers Jewel Policarpio and Jason Maglalang scored 15 and 12 points respectively. Forwards Oraye and Cayle Plastina combined for 41 points and 25 rebounds, Guards John Ray Agustin, Jherome Mulano, John Malubay and Paul Macapagal combined for 21 pts, 17 rebounds and 15 assists to show the offensive balance of their team.

Mulano scores on the drive

In the fourth quarter, STI College Balagtas closed out the game with plenty to spare as the team from Bulacan relentlessly pounded the inside and ran like hell to settle the score even before the final buzzer sounded. Next stop for STI College Balagtas is the championship against STI West Negros University.

for the complete stats of the game click here

http://livestats.geniussports.com/webcast/STINBT/868458/

National Finals thriller - Overtime win by STI College Caloocan

One of the seven booming triples 

of Jomar Salazar

Elusive. That’s how you can describe STI College Caloocan’s campaign to win a game in the national finals. Finally that win came on the last day of the elimination round of the National Finals of the STI National basketball Tournament. Two days ago, the Caloocan dribblers were on their way to win their first game after going winless in two National Finals campaigns, unfortunately their opponents caught up on them to steal the game away. This one almost went that way again as STI College Caloocan beat STI College Las Piñas 88 – 86 in overtime.

This wa sthe farewell game 

of Paul Laysico

Nickael Patricio scored on a jumper while Andreas Schmidt sank a free throw to give the Caloocan team a two point lead with seven seconds left. STI College Las Piñas scoring machine Danico Merced’s three point heave at the buzzer did not go in which gave the Caloocan team a sigh of relief. STI College Caloocan needed an extra five minutes to get their first win in three seasons playing in the National Finals.

Danico Merced had 41 points

STI College Las Piñas should not be ashamed by their campaign either. Visibly disheartened by their loss to STI College Global City, the Las Piñas team came to the game with only five players. But there was no questioning the heart of the remaining five as Danico Merced came out with a game of a lifetime by scoring 41 points.

The vastly improved Jerome Faelden 

had a double - double

Jerome Faelden ably backed up Merced with a double – double as he scored 11 points, had 20 rebounds and issued 3 assists.

The rest of the fab five, Raymond Salvador chipped in 19 points and 15 rebounds, Franco Salvia had 8 points, 3 rebounds and 9 assists and Neil Gutay had 8 points and 7 rebounds but unfortunately fouled out during the overtime period.

Berceño with one of his slithery moves

With much being said about the fab five, the game still belonged to the Caloocan dribblers as Jomar Salazar and Basti Berceño combined to give the Caloocan team the win. Salazar scored on a three pointer with six minutes left in the fourth quarter to give STI College Caloocan a 71 – 61 lead. Unfortunately, they relaxed after that basket that enabled STI College Las Piñas to come back. Salazar had seven triples for 27 points while Berceño came off the bench to score 18 points, had 8 rebounds, 4 assists, a steal and a block in a show of his all-around abilities.

A commendable game by Gutay

STI College Caloocan also missed the inside presence of center Andre Castillo who did not suit up for the game. Now that they have won their first game in the Nationals, expect the Caloocan team to be back next year with much more experience and hopefully more wins in the their next campaign.

For the complete stats of the game please click the link below:

http://livestats.geniussports.com/webcast/STINBT/866649/

STI College Koronadal ends season with a win

Caguisano Jr. hits the baseline jumper

Three graduating players of STI College Koronadal bid farewell to their STI NBT careers as they played out their last game of the season but fortunately in good fashion as they beat STI College Cubao 80 - 52 to end their National Finals campaign on a good note. Bernard Caguisano Jr., Paolo Soliva and Kenneth Libdan conspired to give STI College Koronadal their only win in the tournament as they rediscovered their form and offense as Mindanao champs.

Soliva drives to the basket

STI College Koronadal used the second quarter as their springboard to mount a comfortable 19-point lead to end the first half as the team from South Cotabato punctured the hoops endlessly and more importantly got back on defense to prevent the new kids on the block a chance to get this game. The southeners gave the young guns some lessons in teamwork, good passing and tough defense which STI College Cubao can use to improve their game.

Bacalso scores on the follow-up

STI College Cubao leaned on the triumvirate of Carl Meehleib, Jerico Almenario and Frans Bacalso to lead their cause. Meehlieb scored 19 points, while Almenario had 14 points, 7 rebounds, 1 assist, 3 steals and a block while Bacalso had 10 points, 7 rebounds, an assist, five steals and two blocks which was obviously not enough to bring the game to their favour.

Meehleib on the fastbreak

Caguisano on the other hand scored 15 points, pulled down 8 rebounds, had 5 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks to lead his team to victory. Soliva had 12 points and 4 rebounds while Libdan, whose value is the defense he brings to the team contributed 6 points. This is the fourth year that the South Cotabato team made it to the National Finals and with the core of their team leaving will be hard pressed to get back again next year.

Ala-an on the drive

To view the complete stats of the game please click the link below:

http://livestats.geniussports.com/webcast/STINBT/866647/

STI WNU ends Global City's run

 Renz Solomon is fouled as he drives to the basket

STI West Negros University flexed its muscle, used up their bench and ran away with a murderous romp over previously unbeaten STI College Global City 89 – 57 and ended the Taguig based squad’s winning streak at 9 games to top Group B of the National Finals of the STI National basketball Tournament at the EHT Gym at STI College Ortigas-Cainta. Just like any champion team, the West Negros team started out pumping iron and pushing the pedal to metal and never looked back when they saw that their opponents were lagging behind.

Adjie scores in the paint 

STI College Global City’s magnificent run was halted, there was no more exciting comeback, there was no more paralyzing run, instead the team was left in the emergency gasping in pain and was just waiting for the doctor to pull the plug. This time around, the West Negros team know Mike Sampurna and what he brings to the table and so the 2016 champs put the clamps on T-Mike and limited him to a measly 8 points, a far cry from the two game 28.5 average that Sampurna had. 

Lintongan for two on the fastbreak 

Two –time Mythical 5 selectee Renz Solomon got the Visayas champs going as he scored five points in the first quarter and more importantly got his rookies involved as Center Aldave Canoy and Philip Majometano added four points each to give STI WNU the needed separation from their opponents in the first ten minutes. Aside from Solmon’s three –pointer, most of the points of the West Negros team came from the paint as the Visayans pounded the middle. 

Canoy shows them all that height is might

In the second quarter, a different crew from West Negros pounded the Global City defense as returning guard John Pastias led the West Negros onslaught with Majometano, Charry Cadase and Jason Seballos joining the fray. By the time the first half ended the eight point West Negros lead has now ballooned to fourteen with the Global City squad sent to the dark groping for answers and finding ways to stop the West Negros rampage.

Sampurna eludes two defenders

In the third quarter, STI College Global City refused to go gently into the night and tried to muster enough strength to get back into the game. Unfortunately all they can do is trade baskets with the West Negros team and could as the best run they had was a  5 – 0 blitz which was not enough to get back to the game. At this point the biggest lead of the game was at 18 point with Cadase, Rouichi Belocura and rookie forward Louie Badilles doing much of the damage.

Cadase sizzles for two

The fourth quarter saw STI WNU unleash their finishing touch and put their offensive arsenal at full blast as they outscored the previously unbeaten Taguig based dribblers  31 – 12 in the last 10 minutes of the game. Renz Solomon led the balanced attack of the West Negros team that saw seven other players score as STI WNU came out as the best team in Group B. Rookie Majometano eventually finished the game with 14 points, with Solomon chipping in 13, Pastias adding 12 and Badilles contributing a solid 12 points 7 rebounds performance. John Atlobulan led STI College Global City with 17 points while Sampurna and Lintongan both had 8 points each.

Pastias books the two points

STI West Negros now has a chance to barge into the finals for the third straight year but will need to go through the eye of the needle to do so. The West Negros team will need to beat the defending champions STI College Santa Rosa, a team they have never beaten in the NBT, to make it to the final dance. What awaits STIers is more quality and high level basketball waiting to be seen.

To view the stats of the game click this link

http://livestats.geniussports.com/webcast/STINBT/866650/

STI College Balagtas beats STI College Santa Rosa tops Group A

Oraye points to the direction where 

STI College Balagtas is headed - UP!

A lot of people say that there is always a first time for everything. For STI College Balagtas that first time came at a very important time in the STI National Basketball Tournament as they beat the defending champion STI College Santa Rosa 76 – 57 to top Group A on the last day of elimination of the STI NBT National Finals at the EHT Gym in Ortigas-Cainta. The win put the Bulacan based dribblers one foot inside the Championship game as they meet the second seeded team of Group B, STI College Global City for the first seat in the championship game.

Macapagal for three!!!

STI College Balagtas has always preached relentless defense ever since they joined the STI NBT and their preparation came to fruition in the battle for the top spot as they totally shutdown STI College Santa Rosa’s scoring machine June Aliparo. At the start of the quarter both teams were feeling each other first and the scoring was quite hard to get by as both teams were on a stalemate at 6 – all with a little less than five minutes left in the quarter. Then STI College Balagtas went on a 10 – 3 run.

Aliparo tries to evade the Balagtas defense

Jherome Mulano started the run off a Santa Rosa turnover, then after a Brianth Ursua miss Dan Recto converted on a field goal then John Ray Agustin converted to give the Bulakenos a precarious six point lead that grew to seven at the end of the first quarter 16 – 9. STI college Balagtas forced the Laguna based defending champs to six first quarter turnovers and was 6 -0 in second chance points.

 Jason Maglalang scored 18 points

In the second quarter Gelo Oraye and Jason Maglalang started things going as STI College Balagtas suddenly had the offensive confidence to match their former tormentors and their defense even became stingier. The team from Bulacan moved the ball well and in one play ended with a three pointer for Dan Recto as STI College balagtas threatened to blow the game away as they led by 14. Brianth Ursua answered with a three pointer of his own but in the next play Paul Macapagal sank another three pointer to give team Balagtas a 32 – 18 lead. Recto ended the quarter with four unanswered points as STI College Balagtas ended the half on top by a whopping eighteen points 36 – 18.

Almoro scores on this jumper

In the third quarter, it was center Jason Maglalang’s time to shine. Limited to a measly six points in their last outing last year, Maglalang more than made up for his lacklustre performance by going four for four in the quarter and was the man in charge of quelling the repeated rallies of STI College Santa Rosa.  Back-up center Jewel Policarpio and graduating forward Gelo Oraye also sustained the attack of the Balagtas team as their lead ballooned to 25 points with two minutes left after a Policarpio basket 53 – 28.

 Recto on the drive

STI College Santa Rosa gave one final push in the fourth quarter and after Airon Lugar scored with 6:46 left in the game and put the Santa Rosa team to within 16 points, 61 – 45, STI college Balagtas countered with another 12 – 4 run in the next four minutes of play. By the time the last two minutes were announced a fallen Santa Rosa team just went through the motions of finishing the game and their first loss in the STI NBT in three years.

 Policarpio for two

All is not lost yet for the STI College Santa Rosa team as they face the STI West Negros University team in the cross-over semifinals to determine the last finalist in the Championship game on Monday. STI College Santa Rosa beat the Bacolod based West Negros team this year and at the same time the Visayas champs are aching for payback for their loss last year. Stay tuned, more quality basketball is about to come.

For more stats of the game please click this link

http://livestats.geniussports.com/webcast/STINBT/866648/