BAGUIO CITY – Harold Dominguez converted a surprise field goal in the dying seconds to lift Berkeley past the Baguio City National High School Highers, 69-67, in the elimination round of the YMCA Cup last December 18, here.
Performance at its best was shown in game three High School division, bracket “A” as both protagonists jockeyed for position for the top four teams. Currently the leader in the standings, Berkeley did not give the Highers’ a second chance in their match up to wrap the elimination round.
The Highers were not an easy prey for Berkeley as they went toe-to-toe with the blue and white shirts in the first canto, finishing the period with a two point deficit, 13-15.
The second canto of play again saw both teams performing very well in the hard court as the crowd got more excited and got on their feet, cheering for their squads. With all the squabbling and insistent control over the boards, the Highers got their chance to be on the driver’s seat on the dying seconds of the second canto but was spoiled by a loose ball foul that gave the blue shirts a basket converted in the fifteen foot line to get the lead back, 30-29, at the end of the halftime buzzer.
The Highers got first piece of the leather that got them on the driver’s seat with a quick three pointer, 33-32, as the third canto inning ensued. A see-saw game ensued next as their squad coaches bang their heads for a getaway strategy to no avail. No getaway strategies materialized as both teams landed equalizing scores to the end of the third canto that continuously went on in the fourth canto of play.
Eight deadlocks started the fourth canto. Even game officials were at their best as they controlled the game, calling only three fouls throughout the match got the game more exciting. With the score equalized at 67-all in the dying seconds of the fourth canto, Dominguez drained the shot gave Berkeley the two point victory.
The Highers, who is currently tied with the University of Baguio Science High Reds in the team standings, got the fourth slot in the elimination round after beating San Jose in their last match to enter the semi-final round joining Berkeley Passarrel, Saint Louis University Laboratory High School, and the University of the Cordillera Grade School High School.
Meanwhile, semi final games will be suspended and will resume on January 21, 2017 for the High School Division Cluster “A” and Elementary Division while semi final games for High School Cluster “B” and High School Girls Division will start on January 22, 2017.
By: BOBBY VINLUAN