The 21st Fr. Martin Summer Cup finals: Clemente’s great game, the NU Bullpups’ title conquest and the SBC Red Cubs

17 June 2015,

Wednesday,

11:30 a.m.,

Arellano University gymnasium,

Legarda,

Manila

John Lloyd Clemente is slowly but surely coming out of the shadows with his game.

Last season,  Mark Dyke was the dominant big man of the National University Bullpups.

Dyke was the go-to guy underneath when the Bullpups fought for the championship honors of the 77^th University Athletic Association of the Philippines (UAAP) junior basketball tournament.

(The victorious NU Bullpups get their trophy from commissioner Robert de la Rosa).

Having graduated from high school last March, coach Jeff Napa looked for and found not one, but two fitting replacements.

And that’s Clemente and Justine Baltazar, who controlled the boards and helped power the NU Bullpups last Wednesday, June 16, to the junior division crown of the 21st Fr. Martin Summer Cup basketball tournament.

In that game, Clemente took charge with 17 points while point guard Daniel Atienza made 15 points for the NU Bullpups, who turned back San Beda-A, 71-56, in the winner-take-all finals at the Arellano University gymnasium in Legarda, Manila.

(John Clemente dribbling the ball).

“Teamwork po lahat ito,” said Clemente, a grade 10 student after the game.

The Bullpups broke free from the Red Cubs grip midway in the second period.

Atienza, who had 15 points, led the attack, including two charities in the last 1:06 which gave NU a 32-26 advantage.

(John Lloyd Clemente tries to drive past San Beda Red Cub Pedro Alfaro).

They then took a 12-point lead in the last 6:58 of the third canto, and off Karl Penano’s charities.

“It was in our team defense where the team got its confidence. Finally, in the third quarter, the team’s real game came out,” said NU coach Jeff Napa.

A triple from Niel Tolentino, and Atienza’s perimeter attack then saw the Bullpups moving away further, 47-32, with 4:46 left.

((Red Sam Abuhijle getting harassed).

In the end, the  Bullpups, who kept their records clean  with a 10-game sweep.

First, the Bullpups, who kept their records clean in Group A by sweeping their seven-game assignment.

They then  outplayed the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs, 93-60, with Dave Camaso showing the way with 16 points in the quarterfinals.

(Karl Penano (4) gets in the way of Jeremy Mahinay (12)).

In the semifinals, Clemente drilled in 18 points, and Paul Manalang chipped in 16 to help NU get past the University of Perpetual Help Junior Altas, 79-65.

It’s still a long way to go before season 78 comes around. But Napa believes that the team has time enough to get ready.

“Medyo bitin pa. But, still we got the preseason title,” he said.

(Addie Velasco grabbing possession).

The scores:

First game (jrs)

NU 71- Clemente 17, Atienza 15, Baltazar 12, Penano 12, Careng 8, Tolentino 2, Callejo 1, Amsali 1, Jugar 0.

San Beda-A 56- Velasquez 13, Nelle 9, Bordeos 8, Mahinay 6, Abuhijle 5, Lagumen 4, Nayve 2, Tagala 2.

Quarterscores: 18-12, 33-26, 53-41, 71-56.

(Daniel Atienza takes a free throw).

At the 21st Fr. Martin Summer Cup: Berto, Aby, basketball, volleyball, 2 different worlds coming together as one

26 May 2015,

Tuesday,

11 a.m.,

St. Placid gymnasium,

San Beda College campus,

Mendiola,

Manila

I have never seen Robert “Berto” Bolick Jr. play in a long while.

The last time I saw him play, the La Salle Green Archers lost to the Far Eastern University Tamaraws.

When the game was over, he was sitting on the hardcourt, facing the celebrating Tams, and his head bowed up his chest.

(Robert Bolick in action).

He was crying and hugging with teammates after that Final Four setback.

Next thing I knew, I was seeing him carrying a lady’s bag after every UAAP women’s volleyball game I watched in season 77.

It didn’t take me long to find out that he wanted out of the Green Archers, and he is spending time with his new girlfriend, Aby Marano, whom both  are in a relationship.

(Kenmark Carino (left) and Gwynne Capacio (right) takes possession for the Blue Eagles).

Anyway, he and Aby would hang out, and watch the La Salle Lady Green Spikers make it to the UAAP finals again.

Then, as the months wore on, I would see Robert in games of the Philippine Super Liga, watching Aby’s Petron Blaze Spikers make it to the finals also.

So, on Tuesday, May 26, I was surprised to see Aby seated at the bleacher section of the St. Placid gym inside the San Beda College campus.

(Big man Kenmark (left), in a rebound play with Nigerian big guy Eugene Emenako).

She was with somebody who looked like her sister.

Below, on the floor was the San Beda-B Red Lions and the Ateneo-B Blue Eagles, playing against each other in the 21st Fr. Martin Summer Cup basketball tournament

It turned out that Aby was taking a break from practice with the national women’s under-23 team going to the Southeast Asian Games in Singapore.

(CJ Perez(25) tries to get the ball past Bolick) while teammate Carino tries to defend himself past Emenako).

Aby has plenty down time, considering that the national under-23 team will be in Singapore by June 4.

She wanted to watch Mr. Bolick suit for the Red Lions for the first time.

Apparently, she seems to be looking for inspiration. That is inspiration to do great things when her time comes to play flag and country in Singapore comes.

(Carino in a rebound play with Kristoffer James Porter(14)).

As I watched, I saw Bolick was indeed playing his first game after transferring from La Salle.

His big plays helped put San Beda out of reach in the last four minutes, and into a 75-69 win over the Blue Eagles.

First, he scored on a triple in the last 3:56 to give San Beda a 63-59 edge.

It was one of two treys which San Beda would score, as second one from another teammate handed the Mendiola dribblers a 66-60 spread.

Then, he struck with a crucial pair of charities in the last 2:47 to put San Beda out of reach, 68-62.

His basket came after Thirdy Ravena scored on his own triple.

When the game ended, it turned out that the Red Lions have scored their fourth win in five games.

This kept them in contention for a quarterfinal seat, one of four at stake in Group B.

Coach Ford Arao said Bolick was supposed to play when the Red Lions faced and beat the University of Santo Tomas Tigers-A, 79-46, last May 19.

But, there was no need for Bolick to play at that time because the margin was big.

He later told Bolick to be show aggressiveness with his game, and to keep it up.

As for Bolick, it was teamwork which won the game.

And his game was all about the teamwork which came into play.

“Kailangan kong maging aggressive. Para sa team ito,” remarked Bolick.

In that game, Bolick scored a gamehigh 25 points, while Nigerian reserve Arnaud Noah provided 13 point, teammate Eugene Emenako had 9, Jun Bonsubre made 4 and Kyle Carlos shot only 3.

The Blue Eagles squad were led by CJ Perez with 17, Thirdy Ravena with 14 and Gwynne Capacio with 12.

Week 6 of the 21st Fr. Martin Summer Cup: The UST Tiger Cubs show their fangs; Japzon, Narvasa lead the way

19 May 2015,

Tuesday,

10 a.m.

St. Placid gymnasum,

Sam Beda College campus,

Mendiola, Manila

I watched a game of the University of Santo Tomas Tiger Cubs when they played against the Ateneo de Davao Blue Squires last Tuesday, May 19 at the St. Placid gymnasium inside the San Beda College-Manila campus in Mendiola.

I’m almost clueless as to who are seeing action for the Tigers Cubs.

And, I’m completely at a loss at who are the members of these young team of Davaoenos.

(UST Tiger Cub Clark Ballada in a possession battle with Ateneo de Davao’s Josh Barrientos).

Still, it’s still a fascinating junior division matchup in the ongoing 21^st Fr. Martin Summer Cup basketball tournament.

It’s the fourth week of the competitions, and I’m seeing players whom I’ve never seen come up with shining moments in their game.

The Tiger Cubs managed to pull off a 69-49 swamping of Ateneo de Davao, and it was their third straight win in a row.

(Cyril Narvasa goes for a layup).

This put the Tiger Cubs in contention for the quarterfinal slots available in Group B.

They joined the San Beda-A Red Cubs and the University of Perpetual Help Junior Altas in the early lead.

And all have the same unbeaten record.

(Ateneo de Davao’s Ian Angeles (right) guards his man, Japzon).

Ian Hobson was their best scorer with18 points, along with Cyril Narvasa 8 points.

They had it easy in this game, and after UST  jumped ahead, 23-16.

The Allan Ascue-coached Tiger Cubs widened the gap to 16 in the second half, and had a 40-24 lead at halftime.

(UST Tiger Cub Ian Japzon).

As time goes by the character of this team will emerge.

I guess they have six months to prepare for season 78 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines.

(Lance Carr of Ateneo de Davao goes for a layup).

At the 21st Fr. Martin Summer Cup: Catching a glimpse of the future

12 April 2015,

Monday,

9:30 a.m.,

St. Placid gymnasium,

San Beda College campus,

Mendiola, Manila

I came to the St. Placid gymnasium last Sunday to watch the start of the 21^st Fr. Martin Summer Cup basketball tournament.

This is what greeted me when I finally settled down to watch the first game of pre-season cagefest.

The San Beda Red Cubs-B  team were introducing new players into their lineup.

(New kids on the block: John Baltazar in a loose ball play with teammate, #9 de Luna).

They were drawing crucial baskets from John Baltazar and Luke Sese, new guys I have never seen before.

Their big presence inside the paint helped them beat the San Sebastian Staglets, 84-79.

With their first win, the Red Cubs-B were able to take charge in Group B of the junior division.

(left photo:Red Cub Luke Sese(9) tries to get past SSC Staglet Tamparong. Right photo: John Baltazar is about to shoot a free throw).

Baltazar stands at 6’1 according to Team B coach Noli Mejos, and this 8^th grader fired 18 points for the Red Cubs-B.

Sese, a new guy who is still unknown to me, contributed 17.

The Red Cubs turned the tables around on the Staglets in the remaining five minutes, with Baltazar and Sese creating trouble with the team’s fullcourt trapping defense.

(John Baltazar in possession battle under the basket).

Sucessive baskets from Baltazar and Ry de la Rosa allowed them to move away from a 65-all deadlock.

Bernard de Guia, who led with 21 points, and Baltazar then capped San Beda’s breakaway with a layup and a pair of charities in the last 2:27, 73-65.

“It worked. Our fullcourt press and trapping,” said Mejos.

(Staglet Kobe Canoy (14) gets double teamed by the Red Cubs).