BAGUIO CITY- Team YMCA steps up the ladder in the elimination round of the Religious division in the on-going YMCA Cup after spoiling RC Bros, 72-66, to improve to a 4-0 win/loss card and take sole control of the front seat in the religious bracket.
Both squads meanwhile went toe-to-toe in the first canto of play, always seeking the opportunity for a go-a-head basket. Both failed as they end up tied, 13-all at the end of the first canto. The second canto play was no difference as both squads sizing up each other cannot find the easy shots as both their defensive strategies gave both teams to earn those points the hard way, ending the first half of play with an even output, 18 each to end the first half, with a tied score, 31-all.
Third quarter action was no more less than the first half of the game as both squads with tightened defense gave each other a hard time finding their mark on the basket until the YMCA gunmen found their mark from the perimeter as they plunged in three pointers halfway in the third canto and in the dying minute with a double triple, to led the team to take the front seat by three points 52-49 at the end of the buzzer.
RC took their first shot to lead at the beginning of the fourth canto with a two point connection in the field and a foul to boot, 54-52. YMCA, however, quickly tied the score. Both teams again went toe-to-toe halfway in the fourth canto of play and both had a hard time looking for a go-ahead basket that forced six deadlocks until the dying minute of the game.
A surprise double triple was converted by Team YMCA’s Paul Moltio to give the team a five point advantage at 48.5 seconds left, then teammate Dexter Ramos put a period on the game with a field goal to bag a 72-66 win.
On the other hand, the UCCP LTC Sentinels netted a win against the Assembly of God 66-64, the Anglican Angels posted an 82-72 end score against UCCP UCWD, and the SAINTS also posted another win by default against A/G. In the membership division, Team A also nipped Team B 88-70 in their April 19, 2017 game, while Team C won over Team D 132-96.
By: BOBBY VINLUAN
