Golden Staglets made their final four campaign alive as they defeated the CSJL Squires in an overtime thriller, 88-83, on September 8 at San Juan Arena.
Jasper Magno ekes out a lay-up disregarding the pressure of the three squires.
Regille Kent Ilagan and Jasper Philip Magno chipped in 27 points and 18 points respectively to bring the team to victory. Moreover, Jeremy Cruz made 5 stunning blocks to halt the runs of the squires.
Staglets started the game with a 5-0 run. Then at the 6:54 mark, they made another run to extend the lead to 8 points, 12-4. Squires answered back with a 5-0 run but Staglets brought back their 8-point lead with 2:18 left. The period ended at 25-16. Ilagan scored 11 of his 27 points in the first quarter.
Squires immediately bounced back with a 5-0 run early in the second quarter while Staglets struggled making field goals of their own. Although outscored, they [Staglets] still managed to lead by 5 points at the end of the first half, 37-32.
In the third quarter, both teams were just exchanging baskets until Tommy Gedaria of the Squires finally tied the ball game at 50-all with his three pointer then Miguel Villasis made a foul-counted shot with only 25 seconds left, making them [Squires] finish the period leading by one, 52-53.
Early in the fourth, Gedaria made an unsportsmanlike foul as Ilagan hit a 3-point shot. Ilagan converted the bonus free throw, taking back the lead, 60-57. Unfortunately, Daniel Paclarin of the Staglets committed a disqualifying foul for punching Rhayniel David, resulting to his ejection from the game.
Regille Ilagan pierces through the pick-and-roll play of the squires.
Despite the incident, Staglets put up a tight defense to stop the crucial runs of the Squires. Cruz registered 2 of his 5 blocks while Lorenzo Navarro made a chase-down block on the Klyve Dungan’s fastbreak at crunch time.
With only 19 seconds left, Squires surprisingly hit 2 beyond-the-arc jumpers to end the regulation, 75 apiece.
In overtime, both teams put up a strong defense, not wanting one to make a threatening lead. At the 3:23 mark, Aoki Rile Mercado knocked down a three. Squires responded with quick two shots to take back the lead, 80-81, but the willed Magno converted his lay-up and the dauntless Ilagan banged a three to give the Staglets a 4-point lead.
With under a minute left, Squires were forced to give up fouls to stop the clock but the strong defensive stops of the Staglets sealed their 88-83 overtime victory.
John Mark S. Andal