NCAA Season 91: Arellano Braves, Carlo Abadeza and his teammates prevail over over SSC Staglets

24 July 2015,

Friday,

8 p.m.

FilOil-Flying V Arena,

San Juan

Carlo Abadeza was having a bad day last Friday, July 24.

The 6’4 forward of the Arellano University Braves was struggling with his rebounds

And so was Lars Sunga, another rebounder of the Braves.

(Carlo Abadeza harasses  dribbling Staglet Kobe Canoy(in pink Nike shoes)).

But their situation did not keep the Braves from putting away the San Sebastian Staglets, 82-64, in their evening encounter at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.

“Nahirapan ako sa mga big ng Baste. Mabibigat,” said Abadeza after the Braves posted their fourth win in five outings in the 91^st National Collegiate Athletic Association junior basketball tournament.

• Arellano Braves 82, San Sebastian Staglets 64

Normally, Abadeza would average 14.2 points, 12 rebounds, 2 assists, a steal and 1.2 blocks.

(Arellano ace Guilmer de la Torre tries to get past Staglet Niko Sisa).

“Struggle ako sa rebounds. Pero nila ko pa rin ang game ko. Hindi ko na lang pinabayaan ma-frustrate ako,” said the 18-year transferee from La Salle Greenhills.

Abadeza finished the 30 minutes that he was on the floor with 12 points and nine rebounds.

He provided big support to top scorer Guilmer de la Torre, who led with 15 points and five rebounds.

(Ira Bataller shoots a free throw while Staglet Niko Sisa watches).

Overall, four key members of the Braves, including de la Torre, Lars Sunga and Ira Bataller were struggling with their game that day.

But, determination, team effort and support from other teammates allowed the Braves to hang on to second place, sharing the same 4-1 win-loss record with the Mapua Red Robins.

The Staglets stayed close in the second period, 14-18, off baskets from Nikko Sisa and JoeVance Agbong when things turned around.

(Jovito Tamayo (left) gets screened by Staglet Patrick Daabay).

Jovito Tamayo hit one of two triples during the last five minutes of the second half, and this provided enough to build up a 37-22 halftime lead.

De la Torre hit one of his two treys in the last 8:55 of the third period, allowing the Braves to grab a 14-point spread, 40-26.

Bataller added another one in the 3:13 of the third, and the Braves got a 17-point, 53-36 spread from that.

(Point guard Nino Tamayo signals a play to teammates, while Staglet Marcus Arellano moves into a defensive position).

The scores:

First game

Mapua 88–  Concepcion 26, Salenga 15, Enriquez 13, Garcia 10, Velvez 7, Yco 7, Bonifacio 6,  Badillo 2, Uson 2, Templonuevo 0, Camillosa 0.

EAC-ICA 80– Castillo 22, Beduria 19, Cruz 14, Dularte 12, Calara 4, Anonuevo 4, Baliquig 3, Boado 1, Kwong 1, Mostoles 0.

Quarterscores: 22-19, 45-48, 67-59, 88-80.

Second game

Lyceum 81—Jungco 21, Cecilio 18, Guadana 14, Cunanan 11, Udal 7, Santos 6, Laureno 2, Wong 2, Camacho 0, Salazar 0.

JRU 73—Torre 29, Tierra 15, Baliad 11, Sta. Maria 8, Agustin 5, Carreon 3, Sicat 2, Macompas 0, Tan 0.

Quarterscores: 18-14, 35-32, 63-53, 81-73.

Third game

Arellano 82—de la Torre 15, Abadeza 12, Bataller 11, Tamayo 9, Espiritu 9, Danas 9, Velasco 6, Calapine 4, Sunga 3, Canete 3, Fornis 1, Torrejos 0, Bontao 0, de Leon 0, Dularte 0.

San Sebastian 64—Daabay 14, Agbong 13, Canoy 9, Tamparong 7, Pacis 5, Saliddin 5, Cuntapay 4, Sisa 3, Pelias 3, Arellano 2, Jabagat 0, Adams 0, Dantis 0, Zulueta 0.

Quarterscores: 16-12, 37-22, 59-44, 82-64.