BAGUIO CITY – Ruiz Optical Clinic (ROC) recently got their second win in the ongoing 3rd Engineers Hill Barangay Basketball Tournament against the Sto. Nino ballclub, 107-96, in overtime last November 20, 2016 at the Engineers Hill covered court, here.
A hard to win game ensued as both teams unleashed tenacity in the hard court with a display of defensive and offensive strategies to be able to control the boards. ROC posted a 22-18 run to take the first canto of play. Sto. Nino came back strong inside the paint to take the driver’s seat with a 27-21 run in the second canto of play to lead 45-43 at the half.
The third quarter action saw both teams changing strategies defensively. Sto. Nino opted with a man to man defense using speed as the key against the taller ROC line up. They were, however, subdued with a counter give and go play by the taller ROC men to somehow control the game, taking back the driver’s seat with a one point lead, 60-59, at the end of the third.
Fourth quarter action intensified as both teams opted for the hoops. A see-saw game ensued up to the dying minutes of the fourth canto. With less than a minute in the ballgame, Sto. Nino had the upper hand, 86-83. ROC made a successful three point shot to equalize the score and forced overtime.
As the game got to its climax, with players in the verge of fouling out, ROC saw the advantage as they opted to play inside the paint. That materialized as they blanked Sto. Nino the rest of the way. From a slim 98-96 lead, The continuous pounding of Sto. Nino with field conversions to the dying seconds of the match resulted to the 11 point win.
Other winners were: Azalea 81, BFDEO 70; B-Culls 85, Beerkaua 70; Engr’s Hill 104, Sitel 95. According to Kagawad Butch Gayod, tournament director, games will be played at 6:00-8:00 in the evening.
By: BOBBY VINLUAN
