30 June 2014,
Monday,
6 p.m. ,
FilOil-Flying V Arena,
San Juan
I was amazed at how the Arellano University Braves won their opening game last Monday.
Their game comes right after the Mapua Red Robins-University of Perpetual Help Junior Altas encounter.
– ARELLANO BRAVES 88, LPU JUNIOR PIRATES 59
What amazed me was rookie Guilmer de la Torre, who was nursing a fever for the last three days.
But, he still lived up to his role as a go-to guy of the Arellano University Braves.
(Guillmer de la Torre, jersey no. 11, in action). photo taken by me.
He led repeated attacks from inside and outside the paint, and his efforts paid off for the Braves.
Scoring a gamehigh 18 points on his first game, de la Torre showed the way for the Braves as they blasted the Lyceum Philippines University Junior Pirates, 88-59.
The Braves went on to post their first win in the 90th National Collegiate Athletic Association junior basketball tournament at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan.
This gave them a share of the early with the Jose Rizal University Light Bombers, the San Sebastian Staglets and the Mapua Red Robins.
As he and teammate John Zamora effectively patrolled the wings, the Brave got eight points from de la Torre in the first period alone.
The Braves eventually took a 27-11 edge in the first period.
As de la Torre picked up with his outside shooting, and teammates Anaclito Dulatre, Primo Manaloto and Juniel Balbarona took turns in controlling the boards, the Braves managed to limit the Junior Pirates to eight points in the next canto, and before the half ended.
The Braves never looked back as they eventually coasted to a 41-19 spread at halftime.
The 5’8 de la Torre, who came from Mariveles National High School in Bataan, he gave his best even though was feeling bad over the last three days.
“May lagnat ako, three days. Pero ginawa ko pa rin ang dapat kong gawin. Sabi ni coach, konting ingat lang para maulit pa ito,” said de la Torre.
Coach Tylon Darjuan said the win serves as a confidence builder for the team.
He said the Braves have two light assignments, the second one is against the Emilio Aguinaldo College-ICA Brigadiers on Monday.
Then, their big game will be against the defending champion San Beda Red Cubs on Saturday, July 12.
He had good words for de la Torre, saying the kid is their go-to guy, and he seems to have lived up to this billing.
If he keeps it up, he could wind up as one the hearts and souls of the Braves.
The Braves are now share the early lead with the Jose Rizal University
The scores:
Arellano 88- de la Torre 18, Strait 10, Juico 10, de Lara 9, Clemente 9, Zamora 6, Cabahug 5, Peralta 5, Balbarona 4, Bataller 3, Gonzales 3, Dulatre 2, Manalac 2, Manaloto 2.
LPU 59- Santos 14, Jungco 13, Pere 9, Cecilio 9, Menil 7, Bautista 5, Wong 2.
Quarterscores: 27-11, 41-19, 58-37, 88-59.
-MAPUA RED ROBINS 104, UPHSD JUNIOR ALTAS 53
Four experienced teammates led the Mapua Red Robins as walloped the University of Perpetual Help Junior Altas, 104-53.
Noah Lugo led with 20 points, while Dennel Aguirre shot 19, Sherwin Concepcion had 18 and David Velvez contributed 15.
After taking charge, 19-14, in the first 10 minutes, Lugo drilled in 13 in the second period.
(Mapua Red Robins’ Noah Lugo in action)- Photo taken by Lucius Gunz, and posted on Jerome Trio’s Flickr photos.
His huge game came as Aguirre dominate the boards with 11 rebounds.
Both their contributions saw the Red Robins taking a commanding 61-29 advantage at halftime.
The Junior Altas coaching staff, led by Lester del Rosario was kind of speechless after the game, since they got two big men guarding the inside.
And these 6’1 Las Pinas find John Umali, who had 10 boards, and six-footer Batangueno Raphael Chavez, who had 14 points and seven rebounds.
It will be tough for the Red Robins the next time around because the Red Cubs will be their next opponent.
They hardly have time to Friday because their clash will be on Friday.
The scores:
Mapua 104- Lugo 20, Aguirre 19, Concepcion 18, Velvez 15, Salenga 7, Calderon 7, Yco 6, Cabural 5, Enriquez 4, Victoria 3.
UPHSD 53- Chavez 14, Sison 9, Alarcon 8, Tan 6, Neri 5, Yaco 4, Umali 3, Villaceran 3, P. Yaco 1.
Quarterscores: 19-14, 61-29, 83-40, 104-53.
Pektus Corner 