REDEMPTION for Junior Olympians

Arvin Sarmiento on the defense

Coming off a loss in their last outing, the STI College Junior Olympians came back strong, stumbled for a bit but regained their bearing as they outlasted the stubborn stand of the San Sebastian College Recoletos de Cavite Junior Baycats 68 - 61. The Olympians leaned on the hot shooting of the La Union duo of Ervin Silverie and Vincent Amparo who hit 5 three pointers as Silverie hit two in the first half while Amparo hit two crucial ones in the second half.

Paul Sabacahan scores after being fouled

The Junior Olympians started hot as Silverie went two of three from way beyond the arc and the defense of the Olympians made it hard for the Junior Baycats to penetrate. STI College center Elmer Labis was the focal point of the Junior Olympians defense as he changed a lot of shots of the Junior Baycats while swatting 9 shots. After one quarter the Junior Olympians were on top 19 – 10 and was still on top after the first half 32 - 18.

Center Elmer Labis scores on a dunk

By the third quarter the Junior Olympians were threatening to blow the game open until the Junior Baycats made a last stand to salvage a win. Leading 51 – 38, the Baycats employed a crippling full court press that gave the cavite based recoletos the lead 55 -54 with three minutes and 25 seconds to go. The fourth quarter had the makings of another monumental breakdown for the Junior Olympians in the last two minutes but they eventually recovered their bearing just in the nick of time. With the score tied at 57 – all, Junior Olympian Forward John Pariñas scored on two straight ten foot jumpers to give the Junior Olympians enough breathing room which eventually turned into a win.

One of Elmer Labis 8 blocked shots

It was the fourth time the Junior Olympians lost a lead as with the last one ending up in a loss to their rival AMA Junior Titans. The Junior Olympians improve to 3 wins and a loss and is raring to test league leading CEU Junior Scorpions next week.

STI (68)

Silverie 15, Pariñas 10, Amparo 8, Sanchez 7, Sabacahan 6, Labis 4,Sarmiento 4, Ortega 4, Untalan 4, Dulalia 3, Intong 2, Saldaña 0

SSC-R (61)

Barnales 19, Victa 12, Enriquez 11, Eugenio 6, Monera 5, Cruz 2, Pono 2, Alcober 2, Macaraig 2, Cruz 0

Quarter scores

19 – 10, 32 – 18, 46 – 36, 68 – 6 1

Ervin Silverie topscored

for the Junior Olympians