D6: Baltimore Dragons beats WSA, 66-57 (Open Division)

By Jun Rana / Photo by Ed Ortega

After a tight first half, the Baltimore Dragons switched gear in the second half. RJ Buzon and Julio Concepcion converted eight three pointers to power Baltimore to a 66-57 victory over Wala Sa Ayos (WSA) in Day 6 of the Open Division of the 2010 PAAD Palaro basketball tournament. It was the fourth win for the Dragons in five games to grab solo second place in the tournament. WSA dropped to third place in the tournament.

With Paul Nicdao, Lester Dabu and Jeff Verneza at the helm of their fast paced game, WSA took an early 16-7 lead. However Concepcion and Buzon answered back with an 18-7 run to grab the lead 25-23 at halftime. The teams continued to trade baskets in the second half. With WSA leading by three, 41-38 midway in the second half, Concepcion hit a triple to tie the game at 41-all.

After another tie at 43-all, Buzon hit another rainbow shot to grab the lead for Baltimore at 46-43. The basket ignited a 20-14 run for the Dragons as Buzon and Concepcion kept hitting their three point shots which proved to be their major weapons in the game. Also, Frank Concepcion made his impact with 8 points in the second half for the Dragons. On the other hand, Nicdao and Dabu of WSA tried to keep pace with the Dragons. Nicdao had two three pointers of his own in the second half. However, when the smoke of the battle was cleared, the Dragons emerged with a 66-57 victory.

Playing coach Ed Padilla played for the Dragons who withstood the challenge of WSA. The Dragons hot shooting in the game, especially in the three point territory, won the game for them. They also proved that they have good stamina by running with the speedsters of WSA in the entire game.

Box Scores:
66 – Baltimore Dragons: Julio Concepcion, 26; RJ Buzon, 24; Frank Concepcion, 11; Sebastian Cabrera, 3; Souk Gumatay, 2;

57 – WSA: Paul Nicdao, 27; Lester Dabu, 16; Alex Santos, 5; Jeff Verneza, 5; Roque Guerzon, 2; Andre De Lara 2