LEGAL MANAGEMENT (LegMa), Economics, and Sociology secured their semifinals slots after prevailing in the elimination round of Gilas AB basketball tournament held Friday.
LegMa snatched the crucial win against History, 67-59, with the former setting the pace early in the game after a 14-7 run and keeping the momentum until the end of the first quarter, 21-7.
History’s JP Vibandor, who missed all of his shots in the first frame, finally converted baskets and ushered his team to a 10-0 run. Both teams tied at 25 until Harold Liao led LegMa’s rally late in the second quarter to end the first half on a high note, 36-25.
LegMa’s domination over History became more evident in the second half as the former tightened its man-to-man defense, putting the latter in a difficult situation. The combined efforts of team captain Vincent Mecitas and Airam Rendon secured LM’s spot in the semis.
Mecitas said they will improve their offensive and defensive plays to prepare for the semis.
Furthermore, Journalism and Asian Studies (ASN) became preys to Economics’ court supremacy, 50-37 and 75-55, respectively.
The first three quarters saw the Thomas Gubaton-led Economics crushing Journalism, whose players only managed to score eight points by the end of the first canto.
The back-to-back baskets of Bruce Mallo and Miguel De Leon in the last minutes of the fourth quarter boosted journos’ spirits but their efforts came too late as they finally fell short against Economics’ dominance.
Economics also proved to ASN that their team is worthy of the semifinals slot. Gubaton and Marion Edrick Manuel led Economics’ scoring in the first quarter, 30-10. But AS did not surrender easily as SP Espino caught fire with his treys in the third quarter.
However, Gubaton, Manuel, Judd Blake Ayuste, and Cynrich Domingo, who scored a combined 44 points, enabled Economics to frustrate the struggling ASN.
Meanwhile, Sociology team also notched its second win after demolishing English Language Studies (ELS), 59-35.
Sociology’s Rowi Pascual did not hesitate to pile up 12 points during the first quarter, upsetting ELS, 18-3.
Although struggling in the second and third frames, the Cedric Juan-led ELS strengthened their defense in the final quarter but still succumbed to Sociology’s dominant offense.
Furthermore, Philosophy triumphed over Literature in a match that started with tight scores, 76-40. Philosophy’s Hencel Gumabay quickly contributed eight points for his team in the opening quarter while John Emmanuel Tan added six points.
Literature weathered Philosophy’s good offense and defense throughout the second and third quarters through the help of Jao Tabuzo and Paul Lopez’s field goals, 50-28 and 76-40.
Literature tightened their defense in the fourth quarter but it was not enough to match Philosophy’s determination to win the game.
Meanwhile, defending champion CA went all business throughout the entire ballgame and annihilated Literature without giving them a taste of the lead, 95-41.
The highly-physical CA asserted their court domination over Literature, capitalizing on their opponents’ lack of shooters except for Lopez and Tabuzo—the only players who converted baskets for the team.
The agile and lanky Joshua Nacua led CA’s rally to victory with 25 points. Prince Ramos chipped in 19 points.
Team captain Gabe Sampedro believes CA will defend their crown in the league, noting the team’s offense as their strength.
“[‘Yung] kalaban naming team merong star player, [kaya] bale hindi talaga defense ‘yung pang-counter namin [kundi] offense. Kumbaga ‘yung opensa namin ‘yung naging depensa namin,” he said.
However, CA’s march to the semis was contested by Philosophy, whom they defeated during their first game last Feb. 17, 64-44. They will have a rematch tomorrow at the Felix Huertas Court from 8 to 10 am.
Sportsfest project head and ABSC Chief of Staff Renz Joshua Miguel Esguerra explained to the Flame that it was not noticed that two varsity players played in the court for CA at the same time. This violates the game mechanics that only one varsity player can enter the court and play for a team.
Esguerra added that the rules were explained to the society presidents in a meeting before the tournament so it was assumed that it would be clear to all participants.
Both presidents of CA and Philosophy met with the council and agreed to have a rematch. The winner of the rematch will complete the roster of semifinalists. F GAEA KATREENA C. CABICO and MIKKAH F. FACTOR
