La Trinidad – The Theresians took sole possession of third place in the team standings of the Corinthians Bracket by virtue of twin victories in the 3rd season of the Laity Cup at the San Jose Gym here.
The Lower Tomay school-based dribblers first dispersed the Brethren last July 22, 94-76, and followed it up with a shellacking of the Holy Knights, 97-82, last Wednesday, July 29 to claim the third rank with their sixth win against only two defeats.
In their July 22 game, the Theresians had to overcame eight first quarter points from Clifton Agasen along with six by Vonn Padilla to reverse a 22-21 first canto deficit. Janner Epler, Aries Garcia and Samboy Beray combined for 24 points in the second to threaten to pull away, establishing a 14 point halftime lead.
The Brethren, however, outscored them, 24-14, during the third to get back in the game. Agasen, who was blanked in the second quarter, poured in seven to lead the rally in cutting the deficit to just four.
Again, the troika of Epler, Garcia and Beray got to the rescue. They combined for 25 fourth canto points to lead a 29-15 bristling and bag the game.
Then on July 29, Epler scattered 15 in the first half to erect a formidable 15 point halftime lead and set the tone early. Garrieth Dorian finished it up with 15 of his own in the second half as the Theresians matched the Knights production to get the victory.
The Knights could not get a consistent scorer going during the night that proved to be their downfall. Kipler Balagsa was prolific in the first half with 17 but was limited to a slightly respectable nine in the second half. Rosilo Kitab and Chester Zambrano could only muster four each in the first half before pouring in 15 and 13, respectively in the second.
The scores:
July 22 game:
Theresians 94: Epler 26, Garcia 24, Beray 18, Keatch Luama-ang 14, Albert Pilo 7, Jake Beligan 5, Bert Balicdang, Climpton Calong, Jamil Nasingao, Langpawen, Rodney Luma-ang, Roland Gorio.
Brethren 76: Padilla 22, Agasen 17, Lennon Tiago 10, Jefferson Dennis 6, Mark Galian 6, Xander Batanes 6, Charston Cho 5, Ronan Milo 4, Harvey Lee.
Quarterscores: 21-22, 51-37, 65-61, 94-76. 3 Pt shots made: Beray 3, K Luma-ang 2, Garcia 1, Pilo 1, Agasen 2, Cho 1, Dennis 1, Tiago 1.
July 29 game:
Theresians 97: Epler 23, Dorian 20, Garcia 12, Beligan 12, Beray 11, Pilo 6, R. Luma-ang 6, Gorio 4, Nasingao 3.
Holy Knights 82: Balagsa 26, Kitab 19, Zambrano 17, Erick Pamogas 10, Allan Jimeno 8, Bob Cabellan 2, Jackson Carbonel, Rolando Jimeno.
Quarterscores: 23-13, 48-33, 76-58, 97-82. 3 Pt shots made: Beray 2, Dorian 2, Nasingao 1, A Jimeno 1, Balagsa 1, Kitab 1, Zambrano 1.