BAGUIO CITY – A close battle ensued in game one of July 8, 2015 in bracket “M” of the YMCA Cup here that featured the YMCA Basketball Stars muscling there way against GT Quest however, lost steam to lose by a point 76-77 in the final buzzer.
The Basketball Stars shaved GT Quests’ lead on the first canto of play to tie the score at 19 all at the dying seconds of the first canto, but a foul was committed against GT Quests’ Eduardo Capillan who made two on the fifteen foot line to lead 21-20, with another turn over that was converted by Silver Ngoddo for the GT Quest to end the first canto 23-20.
Coming back from a three point deficit, the Basketball Stars chipped of the lead of the GT’s till the last seconds of the second canto via field goal by Paolo Almazora to tie the score at 39-39, and a single free throw basket by Kelvin Lagutan for the Basketball Stars to take the front seat in the second canto by a point 40-39.
The third quarter action ensued on a slow pace as both teams were limited on points with only twelve field goals made by the Basketball Stars and eighteen points by the GT’s to take back the front seat by a five point lead to advance in the fourth canto of play. A tied ball game ensued at the dying minutes of play at 69 – 69, however, a foul to boot from the Basketball Stars again gave the GT’s to be on the upper hand by Ngoddos’ conversion of his foul throws and two straight field goals to stretch the lead, with the Basketball Stars giving up a quick foul on the dying seconds, a point conversion on the fifteen foot line by GT’s Christopher Maurera gave the GTs’ a 77 – 73 lead, Basketball Stars’ Kevin Obra at 3.9 seconds left on the ball game looked for a possible four point play action above the arc putting up a three point shot to beat the buzzer, but no foul to boot putting the GT’s to win by one 77-76 at end time.
On the other hand, Baguio Water District – B spoiled a possible YMCA Basketball Club win during over time to slip two points to win the game 81-79 in game one of the match ups on July 10, 2015 for bracket “A” here. BWD-B limited to only nine field goals on the second canto, trailed by nine at the end of the third canto of play 51-42, to come back on the fourth canto with a barrage of points courtesy of Raymund Dizon, Reynante Verganio, Guiller Dumenden, Charles Olsina, and Bradford Dixon, who together controlled the boards and putting up 30 big points on the field to tie the score at 71-71 forcing an overtime on the last seconds of play. Ensuing defensive play by both teams ended on an equalizer by Simon Vammas 79-79, after Basketball Stars Jayson Kitong and Nyler Ludaes missed a basket each of their foul throws at the dying seconds of overtime play that gave Raymund Dizon the chance to unleash a two pointer for a BWD win at end time 81-79.
Other match-up winners were; Kuya Ponz 79 – Sunday School 72 for bracket “C”, BBP@CBI 77 – ISIAH 2:14 73 for bracket Y, St. Peter 83 – DSWD 68 for bracket “A”, Knights 73 – SWAGG 68 for bracket “C”, Life Savers 51 – CVG 45 for bracket “M”, and GT Quest 80 – TELEPERFORMANCE 72 for bracket “M” scheduled last Sunday July 12, 2015.
