by Jun Rana
Veteran player Marlowe Ulit converted two crucial free throws with 15 seconds remaining in the game and saw Joel Villamor missed a heavily defended layup in the dying seconds to lift NoWay (Maricas) to a thrilling 41-40 win over the Delaware Titans, in Day 2 of the 35 and Over Division of the PAAD Palaro 2010 basketball tournament. It was the first win of NoWay Team to share the lead with idle GK Warriors in the 35 and Over Division. The Titans, who led most of the way in the second half and by as many as seven points, absorbed their second loss in as many outings.
It was a tight first half as the teams were only separated by one or two points and with several lead changes during that half. At the end of the first half, it was the Titans leading by two at 22-20. At this point, Jason Del Rosario, Ed Ortega,Willie Fontano and Karl Ebron led the assault for the Titans, while El Persons, Ulit and Alex Alday traded baskets with the Titans. Titans top scorer in its first game Ramon Agui did not play for the Titans.
Heads up plays by Del Rosario and Ortega triggered a 9-4 run to pad the Titans lead to seven at 31-24, with 14 minutes to go in the second half. However, back to back baskets by Ramil Magpantay and Ulit reduced the lead of the Titans to four, 32-28. However Del Rosario answered back with a three point shot to increase the Titans lead to seven once again, 35-28, with 9 minutes remaining in the game.
But each time the Titans threatened to pull away, NoWay would come up with each own scoring spree. This time, Alex Alday, Ulit and Persons led an 11-4 burst to tie the game at, 39 all, with 33 seconds in the game. During that run, Persons delivered a crucial three point shot to help NoWay cause.
In the ensuing possession, Fontano was fouled and hit one of two free throws to grab the lead for the Titans, 40-39, time down to 20 seconds in the game. With both teams in the penalty situation, the Titans committed a costly foul on Ulit with 15 seconds remaining. Ulit calmly sank the two free throws, to finally take the lead for NoWay for good, 41-40 after a missed layup by Titan’s Villamor in the dying seconds. El Persons led No Way with 13 points, while Del Rosario of the Titans led all scorers with 16 points.
“It was an exciting win,” said a jubilant Alday of NoWay. “We did not execute well in the final possession, it was a tough loss, “said Luis Alvarez of the Titans.
Box Scores:
41 - NoWay (Maricas): El Persons, 13; Marlowe Ulit, 9; Alex Alday, 8; Jay Lizardo, 4;Mike Vergara, 3; Arnold Dawinan, 2; Ramil Magpantay, 2
40 – Delaware Titans: Jason Del Rosario, 16; Ed Ortega, 12; Willie Fontano, 7; Karl Ebron, 3; Luis Alvarez, 2
No comments:
Post a Comment