By JOAHNA LEI E. CASILAO
COMMUNICATION ARTS (CA) dominated Journalism (Journ) in the opening of the Athena Cup basketball tourney, ending the game at a staggering 87-34.
CA took the lead early in the ballgame with an eight-point and 24-point run led by CA’s Kenneth Bataclan and Juls Jolbitado, ending the first quarter with a huge lead, 39-9.
CA’s energy and offensive rebounds remained consistent in the second quarter, allowing them to end the second half at 54-16, furthering their lead by 38 points.
Miscommunication and sloppy defense by Journ allowed CA to extend the score gap and finish the third quarter at 72-26.
CA’s Aaron Joshua de la Cruz was injured with a dislocated shoulder and was immediately brought to the emergency room of the UST Hospital.
Erick How, team captain of CA, attributed their win to players who were part of the Thomasian Goodwill Games team.
“First of all, we have to give credit to our players from the Goodwill [team] kasi malaki ‘yung contribution nila sa team. Second of all, each player’s role was important. Lahat naman binigay ‘yung best nila para [makuha] ‘yung win,” he told the Flame.
How injured his hand during training and was unable to play in the match.
“[F]or the next game, we’ll be facing [Legal Management], so sa palagay ko, kailangan namin mas i-improve nang mabuti ‘yung defense at saka mas bababaan ‘yung number of turnovers per game,” How said.
Literature (Lit) clinched a win against Philosophy (Philo) in a gripping match, 58-63.
Philo took control of the first half of the game with five three pointers, giving way to three deadlocks and ending the first half at 32-21.
Lit gradually gained momentum and closed the gap during the third quarter with a seven-point run, closing the quarter at 45-44.
The intense back-to-back match in the fourth quarter resulted in four deadlocks before Lit pulled ahead with an 8-to-2 run that ended the game.
Lit Team Captain Paul Lopez admitted that they did not expect to win.
“Hindi rin namin expected na mananalo kami kasi first win namin ito in four years ata. […] Talagang medyo naka-tsamba lang kami ngayon,” he said.
The games were held at the Brgy. Bombers Court. The next set of games will be held on Friday, Feb. 15. F
