BAGUIO CITY – Spears and BGH-EMPC took home their first wins in the YMCA Cup upon resumption of the games last August 2, 2017 at the YMCA Gym, here.
Force to move their July 30 games one week later due to increment weather, the Spears and BGH-EMPC exhibited no rust due to the long lay-off. Spears got their win against the University of the Philippines Employees 74-60, while BGH-EMPC got theirs against Exercitus Dei, 90-64, both in Bracket “A” action.
The UP maroon shirts came out strong to begin the first canto with a rainbow shot that got them going. They held on to be on the driver’s seat via a slim margin to end the first canto play, 14-13.
The Spears came back on the second canto, concentrating their plays inside the paint and baiting for fouls that got them the lead by five points 32-27 via free throw line at the half.
Third quarter action turned into a low scoring canto and both team were neck-to-neck, still with the Spears holding a slight advantage. The UP maroon shirts outscored Spears by one, 17-16, to chop Spears’ lead to four at the end of the third quarter battle.
Getting a second wind in the fourth canto, Spears, on their offensive strategies of using the painted area, successfully controlled the boards to post a 26-16 blast and recorded their first win, 74-60, at the end of the buzzer.
Meanwhile, the BGH-EMPC debut gave a good impression as they started the first canto with an 18-11 blast and continued in to the second canto by ruling the boards and dictating the pace of the game. They went on to pile up points till the end the first half to erect a thirteen point lead, 37-24.
Second half action was no different as BGH-EMPC spoil Exercitus Dei with bucket conversions that went on until the fourth canto of play. With unstoppable offensive strategies, BGH-EMPC dominated the ballgame until the dying seconds of the fourth canto leaving Exercirus Dei behind by twenty two big points, 90-64.
Other winners in this week’s match up’s were; My Desk 87, MTH Baguio 74; Inatech Service Center 98, Boleroz 89; Filambri 97, BENECO (Voltz) 89; ROC-A 108, DOPE 107; Suntrust 78; Organo Gold 76, Reserves (IHG) 92 – Falcons 87
By: BOBBY VINLUAN