Olympians beat Baycats, now tied for first

The STI College Olympians leaned on their grizzled veterans in crunch time as they rallied from 15 points down to beat the league leading San Sebastian College Baycats 79-78 in second round action of the 8th NAASCU.  Darryl Mendoza shone the brightest for the Olympians as he outmuscled every defender thrown at him to score 24 points and lead the Olympians to their 13th win in 16 games and for the first time this season the Olympians are in the lead in the standings. The Baycats are just half a game behind with 12 wins and the loss to STI was just their third loss of the season.  

The first quarter started with both teams displaying their suffocating defense and no team scored for the first two minutes.  Then the Baycats found the bottom of the net and erected a 13-7 lead which was a result of great defense and impeccable fastbreak points.  Ray Gracilla led the first quarter assault of the Baycats as he helped build a 24-13 first quarter lead. The Baycats onslaught  continued in the second quarter as Ray Alcasabas, Oliver VIllareal and Escobal joined the fray as the Baycats offense was in high gear.  The veterans of the Olympians on the other hand were quite unlucky as most of their shots were twirling out. Ramon Mabayo was always double teamed and the Olympians had a hard time getting their shots in. The Baycats were looking at a 15 point lead with two minutes left 41-26 and the quarter closed with the San Sebastian Team lording it over the STI team with a ten point lead.  

In the third quarter, defense was the key to the return of the Olympians. Through patience and baskets by Darryl Mendoza the Olympiasn cut the lead of the Baycats to just three 38-41.  In seven minutes all the Baycats can produce was two points as the suffocating defense of the Olympians prevented them to score.  Unfortunately, after the second unit of the Olympians spelled the veterans, the Baycats took the initiative to force the Olympians with errors once again to lead 57-49. Second year forward William Vasallo then beat the buzzer with a three pointer to narrow the gap to five points 57-52.

Like Freddy Kruger, the Olympians came back from the grave that they have fallen to and leveled the count at 69-all.  Darryl Mendoza then converted two free throws to give the Olympians a 71-69 lead. On the other end, Ric Gracilla converted a three pointer to give the upperhand once again to the Baycats. The turnaround happened with 53 seconds left, William Vasallo once again nailed a three pointer to put the OLympians in front for good 76-74. That triple broke the back of the Baycats as the Olympians went on to add three more free throws while the Baycats still managed to sink two more field goals.  As a result of the pressure defense and physical game, one by one three baycats fdouled out, first was Villareal followed by Pantonio and Alcasabas. Barring any freak incidents, the championship will feature these two teams which we believe will be the most exciting NAASCU finals ever. 

STI 79

Mendoza 24, Vasallo 11, Mabayo 10, Danganan 10, Aransazo 7, Crisostomo 6, Cabangon 5, Macabasco 4, Sabellina 2, Ihalas 0.

 

SSC-R Cavite 78

Gracilla 16, RayAlcasabas 16, Villareal 14, Escobal 10, Lucernas 8, Basa 3, Pantonia 2, Acain 1, Callado 0, Antipuesto 0.

 

Quarterscores: 13-24, 31-41, 52-57, 79-78 Final 

 

Olympians lose two in a row

Robbie Zablan once again buried the Olympians singlehandedly

The DLSU Green Archers and San Beda College Red Lions are having difficulties defending their UAAP and NCAA crowns respectively. As cliche as it may be but defending the crown as they say is easier said than done since all schools are forced to play their "A-Game" when they face the defending champs. Both these schools have already two defeats with the Red Lions adding another loss from the board room. Add to this list the defending champs of the NAASCU, the STI College Olympians who made an impressive opening day debut by thrashing 5 time league champs University of Manila Hawks but got a monumental upset from their 2006 tormentors - the AMACU Titans, and followed it up by a loss from last year's third placers - the San Sebastian Cavite Baycats.

Ace Gonzalez of AMACU and Ramon Mabayo of STI College

STI COLLEGE 63 - AMACU 74

It was the perfect time for an upset, the Olympians were coming from a rousing win and ace scorer Mike Cabangon is serving a one game suspension from a closed fist foul in that opening tiff. STI main man Ramon Mabayo was nowhere to be found on opening tip as the Titans jumped the gun on the Olympians rightaway by burying two three pointers and a basket to start 8-0. The Titans relentless shooting and unselfish play gave them an early 19-7 lead which they never relinquished. Back in the starring role for the Titans is their speedy point guard Robbie Zablan who toyed with every Olympian guard tasked to guard him. Mabayo arrived late and was fielded in the second quarter, unfortunately it was not enough to stem the tide for the Olympians as Zablan quelled all rally attempts of the Olympians as he sank two crucial three pointers in the pay off quarter that doused cold water on the Olympian's rally.

Rebound battle

The result was a 74-63 win which the Titans rightly deserved. The Olympians on the other hand lost steam, were slow to react and were never the same team that won over the Hawks. Defense and hustle were the key in that win since the Titans lost 2006 MVP and Coach Boni Garcia from their team. The Titans have redeemed themselves from the opening day disgrace as they lost by default after the team brought the wrong set of uniforms. This time around they brought the right one, had the right attitude and eventually the right result in their game against their archrivals.

Ramon scores on a drive

STI COLLEGE 78 - SAN SEBASTIAN CAVITE 84

If you were to write a movie script about this game the title of the movie would be CLASH OF THE TITANS! In the game there were bodies sprawling, high flying acts, countless banging of bodies and endless shouting of instructions as both teams would not let up nor blink for the action might just pass by them. The last time these two teams met, the Baycats got a royal beating via a 30 game rout and most of their players got hit here and there by physical game the Olympians employed. This time around, with fire in their eyes, the Baycats had fangs and sharpened paws as Kristopher Lucernas scored the insurance basket off the last foul of STI slotman Darryl Mendoza to give the Baycats an 84-78 win over the defending champions.

William eludes his defender

The game was close all throughout with neither team leading by more than 6 points. Oliver Villareal, Ricardo Gracilla and John Pantonia led the Baycats assault as Villareal sank countless three pointers and were all active on the defensive end that caught the flatfooted Olympians. The first quarter ended with the Baycats ahead 17-16. In the second quarter it was the turn of the Olympians to run and gun as they also played good defense, attacked the San Sebastian press and ended the second quarter with a 43 - 40 lead.

Macky on a jack knife drive

The second half was more of a catch me if you can event as STI would lead by 5 points and San Sebastian would catch up when the Olympians sleep on defense and the Baycats would score a three pointer. The crucial part of the game came when the Olympians were leading by four 74-70 with two minutes left and were forced to three consecutive turnovers which the Baycats capitalized on to level the score at 74-all. Then after STI failed to convert, the Baycats sank a cold blooded three pointer to give them enough distance to seal get their third straight win.

The Baycats, who we can also call "Ninjas" stormed to their third straight win while the STI College Olympians are now 1 - 2. Next stop for the Olympians are two perennial cellar dwellers, the University of Makati Hardy Herons and Holy Angels University. THe road back to respectability seems like a long one and hopefully the Olympians can get back rightaway.

NAASCU opens 8TH Season on 08-08-08

At 8:08 in the morning of August 8, 2008, the National Athletic Association of Schools Colleges and Universities (NAASCU) opens its 8^th Season at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum. The defending champion STI College Olympians opens its bid for back to back titles as they try to catch up with the team they beat last year, five - time NAASCU Champion, the University of Manila Hawks. Leading the Olympians is two time Mythical five member and San Mig Coffee forward Ramon Mabayo together with bullstrong forward Michael Cabangon, defensive specialist Daryl Mendoza, Inter STI MVP William Vasallo and speedy point guard Alvin Macabasco. Olympians Coach Vic Ycasiano has his hands full in blending these five veterans with the 12 new faces of the team. On the other hand, the UM Hawks are installed as one of the favorites again this year as the core of team includes scoring leader Onofre Napiza, Rookie of the year and rebound king Reggie Malinao and assists king Russen Asuncion are up to the challenge to get back at the Olympians. NAASCU fans are saying that this year’s finals will have a repeat of last year’s finalists.

New league rules are in effect this season with the most significant one being the 23 years age limit which takes effect this season. Most of the teams were affected by this ruling but all teams were informed of the rule last season which in turn gave everyone the needed time to adjust.

Now let us see the first six of twelve teams of the NAASCU and how they will measure up this season.

A gifted offensive forward,
Mike Cabangon's high leaping acts
will be the focus of the Olympian's offense this year

STI COLLEGE OLYMPIANS

If not for the new age ruling the Olympians would still have the services of tournament MVP Dexter Micutuan and six other veterans. During the off season the Olympians started their recruitment by going to young unknowns and recruiting by as far as Cagayan de Oro city to land the players that they need. Although they believe they will be the starters for next year, the Olympians hope that forwards Maclean Sabellina, Raffy Waminal, Mike Daanoy and Bryan Daguplo together with guards Norman Ihalas and Paul Sabacahan will develop fast to be able to contribute for this year’s squad. The Olympian’s strength lie on their pressure defense which they translate into easy baskets.

Last year, the Hawks were a young team that made the finals,
this year the core of that team is still intact
which makes them the favorites to win again

UNIVERSITY OF MANILA HAWKS

The retirement of long time UM Coach Loreto “Ato” Tolentino who brought pride and honor to this squad has put questions to the future of the Hawks. But then again getting another seasoned bench tactician in Francis Rodriguez has suddenly installed the Hawks as early favorites. An important returnee besides Onofre Napiza and last year’s assist champion Russen Asuncion at the point is the high leaping rebound king Reggie Malinao who plays a lot like former Hawk Kelvin Gregorio. Other key players in the Hawks line up who will be pivotal in their campaign are Lawrence Paguio, Jason Mulawin, Ryeon Delostrinos and Christian Guimpatan. Last school year the Hawks were a young team but still made it to the finals which means this year, they are definitely the team to beat.

Now that Jerome Cenita and Glen Bolocon are both gone,
where will the Baycat's offense come from?

SAN SEBASTIAN COLLEGE RECOLETOS - CAVITE BAYCATS

In 2006, it earned membership in the NAASCU and proved its teams as worthy contenders in different events. Former Baycats players who made their mark in collegiate basketball have been drafted by professional-league teams, including Jan Philip Villaver, who is now a member of the National Basketball Commission and the Liga ng Pilipinas; Glenn Bolocon, who currently plays for the San Mig Coffee team in the Philippine Basketball League (PBL); and Jerome Cenita, who was a former Hapee Toothpaste player in the PBL. Mark Yee is also being eyed for membership by one of the teams in the PBL.

The team coached by former San Sebastian Stag and PBA hotshot Egay Macaraya will bank on his team game led by his returnees Raymond Alcasabas, Lyle Antipuesto, Mark Basa, Bryan Filio, Oliver Villareal and Joseph Pasagui. This team plays good defense, runs well and has good shooters to complement their big men. The Baycats are perennial favorites and are eager to improve on their third place finish.

The 2006 NAASCU Champions
will rely on Robbie Zablan
to orchestrate a winning formula

AMA COMPUTER UNIVERSITY TITANS

The 2006 Titlists are in a bind since the departure of Coach Boni Garcia and 2006 League MVP Chito Jaime. The Titans are on a rebuilding mode again this year and will count on the experience of their 2006 finals MVP Robbie Zablan to carry the fight for the new look Titans. Expect surprises from their team as they vow to improve on their fourth place finish last year.

Former Junior standout BJ Diswe
will pave the way for the Saints

ST. CLARE COLLEGE SAINTS

When a team employs a Hall of Fame coach, things will definitely look up for your team. Coach Jimmy Mariano has high hopes that this year’s saints will make it to the final four and hopefully make it big this year. After winning the 2005 NAASCU Pre season tournament, the Saints have not yet returned to the final four and they are hoping that former junior standout BJ Diswe, together with Mcliester Opalia, Ebinezer Percibigan and Eugene Buquid can gel quickly with their new recruits so that they can go back to the final four. A notable inclusion in the team is Juniors MVP Aries Pariñas and Mythical team member Dahryl Nodora who will both play with the big boys after their one of a kind Juniors experience. More than making it big in the seniors division, St. Clare is out to defend their Juniors title which they first won last year against UM. The Baby Saints are perennial Junior’s contenders and with their confidence building win last year and they have a good chance to repeat it again this year.

The hunters will gun for
a return to the final four this year

NEW ERA UNIVERSITY HUNTERS

Coach Adonis Tierra is also wary of the fact that his leading scorer Jonathan De Guzman won’t be back this season. The Hunters will most probably hunt for respectability this season as they only listed 11 players who will don the New Era jersey. Their team will be bannered by Jerome Castillo, Jan Michael Ocampo and Louie Roncal and are hopeful that the rest of the team will be able to solidify their chances to advance to the final four. Like all its teams, the Hunters have pulled off surprises here and there with the line up that they have, so expect them to be tough and strong while rebuilding their current team.

NOTE: This primer also came out of the August edition of BASKETBOLISTA