Thursday, April 19, 2018

STI College Balagtas beats STI College Koronadal

Dan Recto scores on a floater 


A very popular basketball cliché “Defense wins championships” has been the calling card of STI College Balagtas’ campaign this school year. After skipping the 2016 – 2017 season, the team from Bulacan has rebuilt their program, rebooted their players and more importantly rekindled their commitment to relentless defense. Known as the Thunders in Bulacan, the team from Balagtas had a sluggish start and had a hard time fending off the spirited stand of the NBT Mindanao Champions STI College Koronadal.



A gem of a move by Jewel Policarpio

STI College Koronadal is one of five teams who entered the National Finals undefeated – the other four are Santa Rosa, Global City, West Negros and the team they are facing STI College Balagtas. Out to regain Mindanao basketball glory, the team from South Cotabato started off with veterans Bearnard Caguisano Jr. . Patrick Palmes and Ricardo Castillo Jr. All three gunners scored three points each to give the Mindanaoans an early 9 – 0 lead in the first three minutes of the game as the team from Bulacan was in total disarray.



Another Koronadal jumper

After getting their feet wet in the first few minutes, a thunderous comeback was in effect as the STI College Balagtas team roared back as they addressed their over-eagerness to play physical and uncorked a 12 – 5 run to get back in the game after one quarter.

Graduating forward Oraye scores 


In the second quarter, STI College Balagtas once again renewed their commitment to defense and as a result their offense flourished. Team Balagtas employed their paralyzing and very physical full-court pressure defense that stymied the Koronadal offense. The Mindanao champs managed to score only 7 points in that quarter and had many turnovers that Team Balagtas translated to fastbreak points that netted them 23 second quarter points and a commanding 35 -21 halftime lead.



 The sticky Koronadal Defense

STI College Koronadal tried to stage a comeback in the second half but unfortunately for them, the Team from Bulacan went berserk as they scattered 32 third quarter points and limited the southern team to just 9 points. This eventually broke the backs of the Mindanaoans that made the fourth quarter moot and academic. There was no stopping the avalanche of points that the Bulakeños unleashed and the disruption of the Koronadal offense that scored just 9 third quarter points.



 Bernard Caguisano Jr. shows his shooting form

Graduating forward Angelito Oraye led all scorers with 14 points as he led his team in points and energized their heads up play. Ably backing him up is graduating center Jewel Policarpio who had a double – double of 12 points and 14 rebounds. Grade 11 speedy guard Johnray Agustin and second year forward Cayle Plastina also scored in double figures as the two chipped in 12 and 11 points respectively. Look for more good news for the Team from Bulacan. 



 Cayle Plastina scores on this floater

The view the complete statistics of this game please go to this link:

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