STI College Balagtas bounces back with a rout

Two of Kevin Miranda's 22 points

STI College Balagtas once again went back to its winning ways by employing their punishing full court pressure defense to turn back STI College Ortigas-Cainta at the resumption of the STI National Basketball tournament National Finals to the tune of a 121 – 59 rout.  Six players led by forward Kevin Miranda scored in double figures as the balanced scoring of the Bulacan based team rotated well and was always fresh whenever needed to give their opponents another 40 minutes of hell shellacking.

Juan Alcantara collars the rebound

The Balagtas team actually started slowly and was looking at a 9 – 15 deficit after ORCA’s Allen Abes scored on a basket with 3:45 left in the first quarter. This woke up the Balagtas team as they countered with a 15 – 5 run to end the first quarter with a 24 – 20 lead.  When the second quarter started, the Balagtas defense went full throttle as their pressure defense made the ORCA team turn the ball around that resulted into quick points for the Bulacan team.  To show how tenacious the Balagtas defenders are, their defense allowed only 6 points for the ORCA team in the second quarter and they started it by scoring 21 unanswered points. It was only in the 3:25 mark when Kenneth Afuang sank a three pointer to put the Rizal based Orca Team on the board for the second quarter.

Angelito Oraye goes for a lay-up

The second half had the same storyline as the STI College Balagtas cagers were relentless on defense and unforgiving on the offensive end. The Bulakeños allowed only 13 points and steamrolled to 31 points through their hard work and team work. By the fourth quarter, the second unit of Coach Carlo Tan were as unrelenting as their first stringers with John Mendoza and Angelito Oraye this time taking turns to torch the Orca team. Miranda ended up with 22 points, Angelito Oraye had a double – double with 17 points and 11 rebounds.  Hervin Deniega and Eivan Pedida paced the Ortigas-Cainta team by scoring 13 and 11 points respectively.

The mid-air battle

The Box Scores

STI COLLEGE BALAGTAS (121)

Miranda 22, Oraye 17, Mendoza 16, Rafols 15, San Pedro 12, Guhiting 12, Reyes 9, Estanislao 9,  Joson 6, Macapagal 3,

STI COLLEGE ORTIGAS-CAINTA (59)

Deniega 13, Pedida 11, Locsin 10, Abes 8, Alcantara 7, Afuang 4, Palanca 4, Francisco 2, Alvarado 0

Quarter scores:

 24 – 20, 58 – 26, 91 – 39, 121 – 59

STI College Santa Rosa continue their winning ways

The Santa Rosa Triggerman June Aliparo

Pop Quiz. What was hotter than the weather today? Answer - STI College Santa Rosa’s shooting guard June Aliparo’s shooting.  Aliparo torched the STI College Malolos with a game high 32 points to lead the STI College Santa Rosa team to a convincing 87 – 58 win and score their second win in Group A of the STI National Basketball Tournament National Finals.  One more win and the Santa Rosa team, winners of five STI Basketball showdown titles, will enter the finals against the top team from Group B.

Jan Almoro on a jumper

The Laguna based Santa Rosa team started scoring like a house on fire as veteran guard Norbert Pena and June Aliparo took turns in torching the hoop.  In a matter of five minutes the score had the Santa Rosa team comfortably ahead 17 – 4 with Peña and Aliparo each scoring 7 points. Coach Chit Jimenez of Malolos immediately called a timeout to address the sudden surge of their opponent. Unfortunately, that was just a precursor of what was to happen as Aliparo continued his hot shooting by scoring off three more three pointers and a jumper. At the end of the first quarter, the STI College Malolos team had 14 points while Aliparo had 18.

Ralph Bonifacio scores for STI College Malolos

STI College Malolos through Carlo Jimenez, Jovito Quetua and Arche Salo tried to mount a comeback but unfortunately the Laguna based squad had all the answers for every three point play, jumper or inside incursion that the Malolos squad did. Backing up ALiparo and Pena was last year’s basketball showdown MVP Jan Almoro and Jhon Ursua. Almoro, Addis Lizen and Dan Mamaed were like walls preventing the Malolos bigs to score inside while the guards hounded their counterparts the whole game.  STI College Santa Rosa will now battle the unbeaten Visayas champions, STI West Negros University, for the top spot in Group A and an outright seat to the championship.

Jestoni Hercia on the drive 

STI COLLEGE SANTA ROSA (87)

Aliparo 32, Peña 13, Ursua 9, Almoro 8, Guerrero 7, Hercia 6, Fudotan 4, Francisco 3, Lizen 2, Mamaed 2, Caraan 1, Romero 0,

STI COLLEGE MALOLOS (58)

Quetua 12, Bonifacio 11, Salo 8, Jimenez 8, Tamayo 6, Sayo 6, Bautista 4, Cruz 3,  Angeles 0, Gatchalian 0

Quarter scores: 36 – 14, 53 – 37, 74 – 45, 87 - 58

STI WNU wins again

STI WNU's Villoria challenged

If there is one thing that the organizers realized in this event, is that there is plenty of basketball talent from around the country. In the finals, there is only one Metro Manila team that qualified while the seven other teams are from the provinces.  STI West Negros University continued on its winning ways as it torched the STI College Dasmarinas dribblers from start to finish to eke out a 100 -75 win and go 2 – 0 in Group A at the resumption of the National Finals of the STI National Basketball Tournament at the STI College Cubao Gym. 

Jhan Nermal leads the fastbreak

Leading the way for the Mustangs were big men Jhan Mac Nermal and Kraniel Villoria who repeatedly pounded the ball inside the paint.  There was also a lot of support coming from the rest of the crew as John Pastias, Charry Cadase and first and Renz Solomon also chipped in their usual game.  The height disparity was very evident in this game as the mustangs enjoyed a 72 – 22 advantage in the points in the paint.

Rhaygie Matsuo drives to the basket

STI College Dasmarinas did not go without a fight. Down to just six men with the others getting injured yesterday, the Cavite team summoned their signature resiliency to comeback and narrow the gap everytime the Visayas five would threaten to blow the game away.  The Dasmarinas team sank 10 three pointers with Kim Bungubung leading the way with three for a game high of 20 points. Rhaygie Matsuo and Rjay Villaruz also scored in double figures as they did not give up until the final buzzer sounded.

Kraniel Villoria on the drive

With their second win, STI WNU will face the other undefeated team in Group A, STI College Santa Rosa to determine who will be in championship game from The their group.   The loser will be relegated for the fight for third.  For the Visayan champs to succeed, STI WNU will need to solve the pressure defense of the Laguna team and they will need the inside game of Nermal and the outside sniping of Solomon and a total team effort. Game time is 11 am at STI College Cubao.

Kim Bungubung drains a three

STI WEST NEGROS UNIVERSITY (100)

Nermal 17, Cadase 16, Pasitas 15, Villoria 14, Solomon 11, Dunlap 8, Yap 7, Belocura 6, Vizcarra 4, Arandes 2, Pajanconi 0, Valdez 0

STI COLLEGE DASMARINAS (75)

Bungubung 20, Matsuo 16, Batiancila 14, Gabotero 12, Villaruz 10, Mendoza 3,

Quarter scores:

30 -15, 56 – 31, 82 -52 , 100 - 75

STI College Koronadal squeaks past STI College ORCA

Kenneth Libdan scores

Nerves of steel. That is what the STI College Koronadal team is made of.  Imagine having to beat the highly favored STI College CDO team in the Mindanao finals and coming back to give the STI College Ortigas-Cainta team a close call via a 60 – 57 win. You have to give it to this ball club because their resiliency is unwavering and their determination is out of this world.

Almer Lopez battles Jeff Estabillo

The game was quite ugly with both teams having a shooting nightmare but it was also more of a track meet as both teams kept on running.  Both teams were feeling each other and took bad shots that resulted in a 11 – 10 lead by STI College Ortigas-Cainta. Sophomore Forward Allen Abes presided over the Ortigas-Cainta attack by scoring 11 points while Jayson Estares countered with 9 points and played catch up that resulted in a 29 – all score after the first quarter.

Bandam Locsin scores

The game was close from the third quarter on as there were 15 lead changes and was tied 5 times. The taller Koronadal players pounded the paint as they scored 40 of their 60 points inside the box while Team ORCA could only muster 24 points inside.  Considering that STI College Koronadal had 22 turnovers and STI College ORCA had 13 steals, the Mindanaoans were still able to capitalize on the rare mistakes of their opponent.

Allen Abes gets a bucket

The game was decided during the final minute when STI College ORCA buckled while STI College Koronadal picked up the pieces by surging ahead in the last minute. The Cainta based cagers last stand was a three pointer by Bandam Locsin that cut the lead to two points 57 -59, unfortunately that was the last that was heard off from STI College ORCA. Jayson Estares had a double double by scoring 14 points and hauling down 11 rebounds. Locsin on the other hand had 16 for the ORCA team.

Koronadal defense

STI COLLEGE KORONADAL (60)

Estares 14, Palmes 13, Libdan 10, Puerto 6, Lopez 4, Caguisano B. 4, Valencia 3, Caguisano J. 2, Orocio 2, Ignacio 2, Sulit 0

STI COLLEGE ORTIGAS-CAINTA (57)

Locsin 16, Abes 11, Alcantara 10, Estabillo 8, Deniega 7, Palanca 3, Merque 2, Alvarado 0, Afuang 0, Francisco 0, Pedida 0

Quarter Scores

10 – 11, 29 – all, 40 – 44, 60 - 57

STI College Global City beats STI College Balagtas 98 - 92

Mike Sampurna led the Global City Team in scoring

STI College Balagtas has been a perennial favorite year in and year out with its all-out hustle. No matter who plays, the team displays relentless defense and non-stop resiliency. Unfortunately it was not enough to quell the tide as the team they have time and again beaten in the years past has finally gotten one over them to the tune of a hard earned 98 – 92 victory by the STI College Global City squad.

David Guhiting vs. Goliath

Getting momentum from their knock out match against STI College Las Pinas last week, the Global City team pounded the inside and ran when needed.  STI College Balagtas on the other hand worked like a horse on defense and moved the ball to find the open man. Such contrasting styles of play was a joy to watch as both teams slugged it out in the first half with neither one winking an eye. There were five lead changes in seven occasions the score was tied in the first half which showed how close and important the game was.  The back court tandem of King Carlos and Jim Lontoc each scored 9 points to lead the Taguig based Global City squad while JP San Pedro and David Guhiting scored 13 and 10 points respectively to lead the Bulacan cagers to a 46 – 43 halftime lead.

Elmer Labis drives to the basket

In the second half the trio of Elmer Labis, Jansen Pangilinan and Mike Sampurna torched the rings as Labis and Pangilinan scored inside while Sampurna scored on fastbreaks.  Unfortunately for the Taguig cagers, everytime they threaten to blow the game away the Bulacan team would slowly eat up their lead and come back like a bad nightmare. David Guhiting went on to hit the hoops as his lay in with 6:20 left in the fourth quarter tied the score at 80 – all as the Balagtas team clawed back from what was once a 68 -  60 deficit. At this point of the game, the teams would take turns on scoring and defending with each one trying to outduel the other.

STI College Balagtas defense

With the score tied at 86 – all with 3 minutes left in the game, Raymond Veluz took matters into his own hands as he replaced ace point guard King Carlos who fell down and hurt himself on a drive to the basket. After Jansen Pangilinan made it 90 – 87 in Global City’s favor, Veluz scored 8 points on two fastbreaks, a jumper off a broken play with the ball bouncing high and eventually getting into the rim and then two free throws that sealed the win for the global City squad.  Guhiting and San Pedro who scored 24 and 23 points respectively heaved a final counter with Guhiting hitting a three pointer and San Pedro on a lay in to cut the lead to two points 94 -92 until Veluz came in to deliver the knock-out blow.   Six Global City players scored in double figures.

Carlos shows why he is King

Box Scores:

STI COLLEGE GLOBAL CITY (98)

Sampurna 19, Labis 18, Pangilinan 17, Lontoc 14, Carlos 13, Veluz 11, Baldoza 2, Cudal 2, Lumelay 2,

STI COLLEGE BALAGTAS

Guhiting 24, San Pedro 23, Rafols 17, Miranda 15, Macapagal 6, Reyes 4, Estanislao 2, Oraye 1,  Joson 0,

Quarter scores

21 – 20, 43 – 46, 70 – 65, 98 - 92

STI WNU debuts with a win over STI College Malolos

Renz Solomon of STI WNU scores on a lay up

A lot of people believe in the saying that height is might in Basketball! A lot might agree but that is not the case with the 5 foot5 lead point guard of the STI West Negros University team Renz Solomon. The diminutive Bacolod native ran rings around all defenders thrown at him and sparked the second quarter run of the team known as the Mustangs to give them a hard earned 84 – 65 win against STI College Malolos – the team known as the Falcons.

Carlo Jimenez scores on a drive

Solomon scored 19 points, had six assists, a steal and even though he is the smallest among all players, he still managed to pull down 9 rebounds.  The two teams stood by together at the first quarter with neither team getting the upperhand until the second quarter came.  The Mustangs unleashed their running game, solid defense and inside presence. The Bacolod City cagers had 48 points inside the paint as opposed to only 34 by the Bulacan based Falcons.

Big men collision

There was ample support too coming from his Visayan brothers as Kraniel Villoria, Jhan Mac Nermal and Kobe Bryan Vizcarra pounded the paint and made it hard for Malolos’s 6’5 center John Kelbert Victoria to defend the paint. The trio combined for 40 points and 33 rebounds as the STI West Negros Team outrebounded the Bulacan team 49 - 43.  Nermal also had 4 block shots to got with the 9 rebounds he had.

Mustang defense

STI College Malolos shot poorly from the field. They actually had more field goal attempts but only sank 28 of 91 shots as against the 35 for 70 clip of the Mustangs.  Although the STI WNU team had more turnovers (23 – 15) they made up for this by having more assists 17 – 11 and blocks 9 – 0.  Glenn Bautista and Carlo Jimenez carried the fight for STI College Malolos as the duo scored 17 and 15 points respectively. Jimenez also got 6 assists and 5 steals. Victoria led the rebounding parade with 12 rebounds.

Arche Salo on the fastbreak

Box scores:

STI WNU (84)

Solomon 19, Villoria 16, Nermal 12, Vizcarra 12, Belocura 9, Pasitas 8, Dunlap 4, Cadase 4, Arandes 0, Pajanconi 0, Yap 0

STI College Malolos (65)

Bautista 17, Jimenez 15, Cruz 9, Bonifacio 8, Victoria 8, Salo 4, Sayo 4, Dizon 0, Gatchalian 0, Tamayo 0

Quarter scores:

18 – 15, 39 – 27, 61 – 49, 84 - 65

STI College Santa Rosa beats Dasmarinas squad 80 - 53

June Aliparo soars

Five-time STI Basketball Showdown champion STI College Santa Rosa flexed its muscle as it blasted the spirited run of STI College Dasmarinas 80 – 53 at the start of Group A action of the STI National Basketball Tournament. The Laguna based cagers once again relied on their balanced attack from start to finish and never gave their Cavite counterparts an air of hope in carving out their masterful rout.

Dan Mamaed shows his might

In the first half Santa Rosa’s hot shooting guard June Aliparo carried the scoring load for the Laguna cagers as he scored on a three pointer, a jumper and a couple of fast breaks for a team high 11 points at the half. Ably supporting him was Jestoni Hercia who added 10 points. Others who chipped in were Dan Mamaed who went 2 for 2 from the field for 6 points while Norbert Peña and Jhon Brianth Ursua both scored 5 points each to give them a commanding 44 – 22 halftime lead.

RJay VIllaruz hangs in midair

The Caviteños on the other hand played hard, battled every possession but unfortunately came out short. Leading the way was flashy guard Rhaygie Matsuo whose career high last week gave him the go signal to slash inside and throw those three point bombs. He went 2 for 6 from beyond the arc and scored 9 points. Unfortunately the well was dry for the Dasmariñas five as they went into many dry spells during the first half.

Rhaygie Matsuo with a no look pass

The second half was no different as Santa Rosa pounded the inside and ran when the occasion called for it. Santa Rosa had simply more firepower as their bench outscored their counterparts to the tune of 53 – 14.  It’s just like there was no stopping the mean Santa Rosa machine. STI College Dasmarinas on the other hand relied on the 14 second half points of forward Rjay Villaruz as he single handedly brought back their team but couldn’t do it alone. In the end, the Laguna cagers outran, outhustled and outplayed the Cavite five.  Raul Guerrero led the scoring in the second half for Santa Rosa with 9 points. All 12 players from STI College Santa Rosa scored.

Jestoni Hercia on the drive

Box scores:

STI COLLEGE SANTA ROSA (80)

Hercia 14,Guerrero 12, Aliparo 11, Ursua 9, Fudotan 7, Mamaed 6, Peña 5, Francisco 5, Almoro 4, Caraan 3, Lizen 2, Romero 2,

STI COLLEGE DASMARIÑAS (53)

Villaruz 18, Matsuo 9, Gabotero 8. Bungubung 7, Oribillo 5, Dones 4, Mendoza 2, Batiancila 0, Domingo 0,

Quarter scores: 24 – 5, 44 – 22, 65 – 40, 80 – 53

STI National Basketball Tournament National Finals Schedule

Follow the games on twitter: 

@stievents #stinbt2015

STI holds its first National Basketball Tournament

Favored to win it all - STI College Santa Rosa

The first STI National Basketball Tournament National Finals will commence on May 26, 27, 28 and 29, 2015 at the STI College Cubao Gym to seek out the best basketball team in STI College. The National Finals will feature six teams from Luzon and one each from the Visayas and Mindanao for a total of eight teams that will have the chance to be crowned STI’s best. The first round elimination knock-out phase started last April 9, 2015 with thirty four teams in Luzon, six teams in the Visayas region and ten more in Mindanao for a total of fifty teams that played knock-out games against different STI campuses near their vicinity.  Come the second round only 16 teams remained in Luzon while two and four remained in the Visayas and Mindanao region. Another set of knock out matches saw the eight remaining teams qualify to this now yearly basketball tournament.

STI College Santa Rosa's double-double machine

Jan Almoro on the offense

Leading the charge is five-time STI Basketball Showdown champion STI College Santa Rosa. The Laguna based champions have an intact line-up and will rely mostly on last year’s MVP Jan Almoro and Mythical 5 Selectees Addis Lizen, Norbert Pena and Raul Guerrero. Besides the four veterans, Center Dan Mamaed will still man the paint while point guard John Brianth Ursua and outside sniper June Aliparo are the new scorers that will be giving nightmares to opposing teams. In their game against STI College Marikina, Aliparo outscored the whole Marikina team 29 – 26 after three quarters. STI College Santa Rosa is a well-oiled machine that is ready to lay their claim as the best STI College Basketball team in the country. Still calling the shots for the Santa Rosa team is multi-titled coach Leo Callado.

Aries Estanislao of STI College Balagtas scores off a jumper

Out to give the Santa Rosa team a run for their money are three teams that they beat in their 5 year reign as Luzon Champs – STI College Balagtas, STI College Malolos and STI College Global City.   After a one year hiatus in the STI Basketball showdown, STI College Balagtas comes back with a strong showing in the elimination round that gave them a second seeding. Leading their team are their run and gun trio of Angelito Oraye, John Paul San Pedro and Kevin Miranda who are recipients of the assists of second year guard David Guhiting. The Bulacan based Balagtas cagers rely on their signature pressure defense and are always on the run specially when defensive specialist Aries Estanislao swat away shots or collars rebounds that ignites their fastbreaks and scores points easily.  Long-time Coach Carlo Tan is still at the helm as head Coach of STI College Balagtas.

Both 6'5 tall, John Victoria (STI College Malolos) 

and Elmer Labis (STI College Global City) 

are the giants of the tournament

The STI College Malolos team was once the young strong team that Santa Rosa and Balagtas used to push around. Now after four years of seasoning in the STI Basketball showdown the battle tested Bulakenyos are back for another run at the title. Leading their team is Coach Chit Jimenez’s son Carlo Jimenez who is the heart and soul of this team. Also providing support for Jimenez is the inside presence of Jovito Quetua and John Victoria. The twin towers provide a defensive nightmare to opposing schools. Wingmen Sherwin Sayo and Arche Salo also provide instant offense when needed while veterans Dave Cruz and Ralph Emerson Bonifacio are there to provide additional muscle to the team. The Malolos squad are methodical and hard to beat once their running game gets going.

Jim Lontoc of STI College Global City shows some defense

Last year, the STI College Global City squad qualified for the STI Basketball showdown finals and held their own against STI College Santa Rosa in the 2^nd game of the finals.  With another year of experience on their belt, the Global City squad is out for revenge as former Junior Olympians Jim Lontoc, Jansen Pangilinan and Arjay Napenas have found notable support through point guard King Carlos, Mike Sampurna and the hulking Elmer Labis whose one and done stint at the Nationals is a sight to behold.  Calling the shots now for the Global City team is new coach Paul Rosales.

Allen Abes of STI College Ortigas-Cainta (ORCA) on the drive

Two teams surprised the favorites as they qualified to the national finals with their sheer will to win and speedy plays. STI College Ortigas-Cainta and STI College Dasmarinas are overachieving at this point but will never back down from a good fight. Both teams play a similar fast game and are pesky on the defense.  STI College ORCA relies on second year veteran Allen Abes and his new group of speedsters Jeffrey Estabillo, Jayson Alvarado, Van Dham Locsin and  Richard Palanca press like there is no tomorrow. Their resilience eventually nets them points off turnovers.

The STI College Dasmariñas defense

Also in the same mold is STI College Dasmarinas. Built on the offensive prowess of their two guards Rjay Villaruz and Rhaygie Matsuo, the rest of the team feeds off each other’s will to win. Notable contributors are point guard John Dones and undersized centers Mark Domingo and Arnel Ortiz.  The Cavite based cagers are masters of taking advantage of defensive lapses of their opponents which they did in the elimination rounds.

The Visayas Champions - STI WNU

The multi-titled Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports Cultural Education Association (NOPSSCEA) champions in Bacolod, the STI West Negros University team will test the mettle of Luzon and Mindanao squads as they battle for prestige and honor in this first staging of the STI National Basketball tournament. Leading the way for the Visayas champions are players who have basketball names of legends - Jhan Mchale Nermal, and Kobe Bryan Vizcarra. Dimunitive point guard Renz Solomon  and Kraniel Villoria ably support the Visayas stars who are in for a good fight against the Luzon champions.

Venue of the National Finals- STI College Cubao Gym

The last team that made it to the finals is South Cotabato’s STI College Koronadal that beat former Mindanao champion STI College Cagayan de Oro in overtime. STI College Koronadal have a strong five in Elmer Palmes Jr. Jayson Estares, Glenn Sulit, Kenneth Libdan and Bernard Caguisano. How the five and their bench will respond against the Luzon teams will be known in this national tournament.

Addis Lizen collars a rebound

Who will be crowned as the first champions of the STI National Basketball Tournament. The eight teams are bracketed in two groups  Group A being led by STI College Santa Rosa, STI College Dasmarinas, STI College Malolos and STI West Negros University. Group B on the other hand will be led by STI College Balagtas, STI College Ortigas-Cainta, STI College Global City and STI College Koronadal. Each group will play a one round-robin format from May 26 to May 28, 2015 with the top team from each group qualifying for the Championship game on May 29, 2015. All games will be played at the STI College Cubao gym. Who will be this year’s STI National Basketball Tournament National Champion? See you at the games.

Ms. Bikini Philippines 2015 Winners

Miss Bikini Philippines 2015 FATIMA ALSOWYED

Ms Bikini Philippines 2nd Runner-up - Nicole Shaye Dichoso, 

Ms. Bikini Philippines 2015- Fatima Alsowyed

Ms. Bikini Philippines 1st Runner-up -Angelou Mae Gonzales

The Judges using the STI provided computers and tabulation systems

Del Monte Team Building

Mr. Eggie Honasan and Ms. Lana B. Parungao

The Heads of the Del Monte Team Building

Giving directions to the participants

 The Calm before the storm

The Del Monte Team at the Poolside getting ready for the battle

The LEAD team taking the Lead! 

Enjoying the evening 

with Valee Rivas of Del Monte