D1: Baltimore Dragons escapes Delaware Titans' upset bid, 47-39 (Open Division)

By Jun Rana / Photo By Poochie Roldan

Even playing with only five players would not stop the Baltimore Dragons to gut out a hard fought win over the Delaware Titans, 47-39 in Open Division of the PAAD Palaro 2010 tournament. And the Dragons had to do it with Coach Ed Padilla playing for the first time in any PAAD tournaments. The scoring trio of RJ Bazon, Joshua Marasigan and Justin Marasigan combined for 45 points to power the Dragons over the Titans.

It was a match of attrition as the Delaware Titans were also missing the services of team Captain Steve Antonio and key player Jason Del Rosario who were on vacation in the Philippines. With nine players however, the Delaware Titans suddenly had a good chance of beating the Dragons who showed up with only five players.

The match was a very close one with the teams exchanging leads in the first half. The Dragons were only leading 16-13 midway in the first half. Rowell Quezon and Paul Valencia however kept the Titans in the thick of the fight. Quezon and Valencia had 12 points in the first half. But RJ Bazon, Joshua Marasigan and Justin Marasigan always had answer for every Titans run as the half ended 24-18 in favor of Baltimore.

The second half was a tight contest. The Dragons countered the Titans basket for basket and at the same time managed to stay away from crucial fouls to avoid fouling out of one of its players. It was Quezon and Valencia carrying the scoring load for the Titans against the Baltimore scoring trio. When the smoke of the battle cleared at 3 minutes and 45 seconds remaining in the second half, the Dragons managed to have a breathing room with 42-33 lead. It was a good enough to carry the Dragons to their first win in the Open Division of the tournament.

“A lot of my players are playing in other tournaments in Virginia/ Washington DC areas at the same time with the PAAD tournament. That’s why we only have five players today,” said Coach Ed Padilla who had a sense of relief with the win.

“We’re okay,” said losing player JC Destreza of the Titans with a smile indicating they will be ready in the coming games. The Titans will be reinforced by Jesse Fabian, the Titan’s top scorer last year in its next games.

BOX SCORES:
47 – Baltimore Dragons – RJ Buzon, 19; Justin Marasigan, 14; Joshua Marasigan, 12; Ed Padilla, 2

39 – Delaware Titans – Rowell Quezon, 17; Paul Valencia, 11; Arnel Lalicon, 6; Ian Orbeta, 3; Glen De Luna, 2