The Baguio College of Technology survived a gritty Philippine Military Academy, 85-81, Saturday at the Saint Louis University gym as the Atoms claimed sole leadership in bracket B after one week in men’s basketball of the Baguio – Benguet Educational Athletic League.
Like a swirling dervish driven by ghost of two seasons past, Azzir Rabara led his crew to save what was a sinking ship amidst the rampage unleashed by the Cavaliers. With 6.4 seconds remaining, Rabara split his charity and gave the Atoms a four point breather which was the last score in the game.
Two previous attempts by the Cavaliers could have given them at least another five minutes but all went to naught.
“That was too close,” said a relieved BCT coach Willy Antonio, who saw his big man Armando Pollente hit the shower with 1:54 to go and the cadets just two off the Atoms, 77-79.
Aaron Torres, last year’s Mr. Basketball, even had his crew take command of the game 81-79, with barely a minute before Reynil Amargo sunk an all important trey as the Atoms regained the lead, 82-81, 1:28 remaining.
And it was a struggle from there on.
Rabara led all Atoms with 21 points as last year’s best power forward clearly assumed leadership of BCT with top guard Jhervie Calibo gone. Big man Pollante, the 2015 season best center, added 17 while Amargo, who was given a citation last season, made four treys en route to 13, the same output made by Marvin Vinoya, who followed Pollante at the shower room.
Renz Darrel Mendoza led the cadets with 34, while shifty point guard Aaron Nathaniel Torres gave 30 big points. Drexler Mayomis chipped in 10 points for PMA which is riding high from its victory over two-time champion Cordillera Career Development College last Oct. 21.
The win came after the University of Baguio Cardinals was sunk by the Navigators of SLU at the latter’s homecourt Friday that gave coach Raymund Paeng Austria his first win over the many time champion in nine years.
“It was a big morale booster as we ended nine years of frustration against the Cardinals,” said Austria, who is the youngest of three brothers who played for the biggest three schools. A sister played for the Lady Cardinals like the eldest Rafael, who helped the Cardinals win from 1997-2001.
Shawn Aquisay led the Navigators with 15 points, while Ezequiel Garth Talosig chipped in 12.
In women’s basketball, SLU manhandled PMA’s Lady Cadets, 71-52, and give itself a fighting chance for at least one of the finals seat. Even without top player Hazelle Habon out this year, Tamondong and Majel Maligsa led the Lady Navigators with 19 points each as sophomore Noime Tacbad chipped in 11 as SLU never looked threatened in the 40 minute encounter.
Gimlyn Golwingon and Isabelle Prudencio led the cadettes with 19 and 15 points, respectively. Prudencio was last season’s rookie of the year awardee, while Golwinong, also then a rookie, had a citation for her efforts. **PML
