BAGUIO CITY – Teams in Bracket Y of the YMCA Cup are expected to exert more effort at the start of the semi-final round on September 23, 2016. Currently tied up for the first three positions in the open bracket are ROC, Golden Pine Hotel, and GWE with a 4-3 win/loss card, while FILAMBRI takes the fourth slot with a 4-4.
GWE finished the Basketball Stars with a flurry of shots from the three point line to convert three triples and two twinners at end game to win, 105-93, and gain a crucial tie for first place. As a result of the winning the close encounter September 5 match-up, GWE climbed the ladder to tie the leaders. The Basketball Stars needed a win to climb up the ladder and at least get the fourth slot in the bracket and enter the semi-final round.
The match-up started with steady hands on the hoops by both teams engaging in two deadlocks in the dying minutes of the first canto of play, 19-all. GWE gave up a foul on a three point shot that sent the Basketball Stars to the fifteen foot line to trail, 21-22, but recovered on time with three conversions from the field to take back the lead, 27-24 at the end of the first.
GWE capitalized on the Stars’ turnovers on transition play to maintain the lead. Steady shooting and a couple of threes’negate GWE’s foul-giving spree that slowed their play. They settled with a two point lead at the end of the halftime buzzer 53-51.
The Basketball Stars relied succumbed to GWE’s defense in the third and could only convert 14 points in a low scoring third quarter. That gave GWE the chance to counter with a 22 point blast with better offensive strategies and increased their lead to ten points, 75-65, at the end of the third.
The Basketball stars, however, are not done yet. They patiently came from behind, chipping the GWE lead and gave GWE a challenging fourth canto. They managed to tie the game at the last minutes of the game, 92-all, with a minute to play.
GWE, however, countered with the last minute flurry to end any Basketball Star hopes.
Last week’s other match up winners are: Inatech 106 – Knights 97, PMG-Agro won by forfeiture against Al-Pearl, Wesleyan won by forfeiture against Team Buguias, Team YMCA 96 – KLFS 85, Spartans 97- Spades 92, ROC-B 104 – Supreme 90, Falcons 113 – Team YMCA 110, BWD-A 91 – Viscor 85, Kuya Ponz lost by forfeiture to Bodybuilding Club, Team Artiaga 78 – Supreme 74, Machinist 92- UPCB 80, FILAMBRI 103 – Golden Pine 79, Ballers Bloopers 94- Town’s Pizza 81, Total Excellum won by forfeiture against Dream Catcher.
By: BOBBY VINLUAN