Saliddin struggles fails to make a shot as Camilosa of Mapua Red Robins blocks his shot.
In spite of the intensive training and conditioning during the off-season, SSC-R staglets succumbed to rookie jitters in their first game for season 91 against Mapua Red Robins, suffering a sorry loss 51-80 last Thursday, July 2, at San Juan Arena.
Robins showed dominance in the court, making an early 19-6 score card in the 1st quarter. Staglets tried to trim down the lead to 9 points, 21-30, in the middle of the 2nd quarter but Robins continued their scoring spree, ending the 1st half, 43-26.
Robins opened the 2nd half with a 7-0 run to extend the lead to 24 points, 26-50. With such dominance, staglets flatered resulting to numerous turnovers and limiting them to only 10 points in the 3rd quarter.
Although producing 25 points in the 4th quarter, staglets failed to chase down the robins, ending the game at 51-80.
“It is the first game, I think, for all these players in more or less 8,000-seater coliseum but somehow yung nilaro nila ngayon is within the expectations that we have. We saw something good that we can build up – that’s beautiful. That is matter of how we can replicate yung pressure sa ensayo,” said Coach Franco Atienza.
Staglets will face San Beda Red Cubs on Thursday, July 9 at the same venue.
“We appreciate the supportof the school; it could be very tough on Thursday but we hope and we know we will give good fight,” Atienza added.