The New Era Hunters crashed and burned as Fatima Phoenix soared high in their debut match in National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges, and Universities (NAASCU) which was held in Pasay City Sports Complex last July 18, 2009.
It was an exciting game all the way with both teams fiercely fighting for their first win in the league. However, New Era University got overconfident as manifested by their exaggerated showmanship in the second quarter when the Hunters lapsed into many errors in fielding assists, passes, and turnovers that led to their defeat.
At one point, the Hunters led by as much as 18 points in the game, only to err a little later after the combined efforts of Paolo Guidaben and Easy Lover San Juan rendered them helpless. It was then that Guidaben poured three consecutive triples and San Juan, also poured four points that brought the score to a closer range. The captain of the team, Randy Basco also helped in maintaining the score closer to the enemy with 12 points in the game.
In the last quarter of the game, there was a sudden clash between Joal Culala (Phoenix) and Henry Maestrado (Hunters) as the latter committed a foul that brought his team to a penalty. Mhark Jacer Lopez (Hunters) marked his legend when he added two more points for his team, seconds before time ran out in the last quarter and brought the score of both teams tied at 65 which led to overtime. However, his defense crumbled when he could not stop the barrage of points made by Guidaben.
After that sudden death match, Phoenix fans went out of their benches and joined the blissful players in their celebration.
Coach Renzy Bajar was very positive yet also nervous for the team because that was only their first game and the players don’t have any experience at all. He also added that they will concentrate more on defense and their major tactic will be to distract the play of the enemy.
Quarter scores: 9-4, 34-19, 56-37, 65-all, 78-77.
Fatima (78) – Paolo Guidaben – 26, Easy Lover San Juan – 13, Randy Basco – 12, Alexander Ladao Jr. - 6, Ralph Monserat - 5, Lester Panes - 5, Gaylord Monserat 4,Robin Zapanta - 3, Carl William Valdevilla - 2, Joal Culala - 1, Mark Aque – 1.
New Era (77) – Mhark Jacer Lopez - 15, Symon Santos - 14, Jovito Quebec - 8, Henry Maestrado - 8, Elmer Acuna - 6, Jerome Castillo - 6, Mac Lanster Sevilla - 5, Jesper Tanglao- 4, King Ludwig Perlas - 3, Mark Joseph Sarmiento - 2.
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