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Crafty Cardinals overcome Slaughter, UV

by Anton Roxas
Saturday, 28 November 2009 2,013 Views / 31 Comments

IN a game filled with unfamiliarity between two protagonists, one team found a way to win.

The Mapúa Institute of Technology Cardinals, who took the longer road to get to the Sweet 16, prevailed against the reigning CESAFI champions, the University of Visayas Green Lancers 76-73 last November 28, 2009 at The Arena in San Juan City.

The UV Lancers, the only non-UAAP or NCAA team that automatically qualified to the 2009 Philippine Collegiate Champions League Sweet 16, failed to make it past the first knockout game of the tournament for the second straight year. However, the victory was no walk in the park for Mapúa as the game saw four deadlocks and 14 lead changes.

“Actually, wala kaming scouting report sa UV eh. Kaya ang hirap. Ang alam lang namin si Slaughter sa inside. So, we adjusted pag-receive ng bola sa post. Collapse lang kami and we adjusted our defense to full-court pressure para magamit namin yung strength namin, yung defense,” said Mapúa head coach Chito Victolero.

CESAFI co-MVP and Mythical Five member Greg Slaughter looked to dominate early on as his teammates threw him the ball in their very first possession. Slaughter caught it with good post position, turned and dumped the ball inside the basket for the first two points of the game. A couple of plays later, Slaughter broke free from his defender using a nifty spin move without the ball. He then received a nice pass deep in the paint and emphatically slammed the ball through the hoop with both his hands. UV was off to a strong start leading by nine at the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Mapúa utilized a full-court press defense to counter the size of UV and captured their first lead of the game at 29-28 with 1:22 remaining in the first half. Not to be outdone, the Green Lancers came out of halftime energized and started the third quarter with an 8-0 run. But, Allan Mangahas knocked down two straight three point shots to regain the lead for Mapúa, 37-36. Tempers flared a little bit as a double foul was called at the 3:50 mark of the third quarter on Paul Cinco and Slaughter as the two players got their arms entangled. Another double foul was called with 46.7 seconds remaining the same quarter, this time on Ritchum Dennison and Rodel Ranises.

With the game tied at 60, UV swingman Emman Calo fired a three point shot from the top of the arc that went inside the ring, out to the board, and straight through the net. Calo would score eight more points after that basket for UV. The game was tied again at 71 when Erwin Cornejo somehow found himself with the ball close to the basket. The veteran used the glass and scored right in front of the 6’11 Slaughter to put the cardinals up for good, 73-71.

Mapúa has now won nine straight games since they defeated the Perpetual Help Altas in the second Round of the 85th Season of the NCAA. That winning streak will be on the line next week as they face the San Beda College Red Lions in the Elite Eight on December 2, 2009.

The scores:

Mapúa 76 – Mangahas 22, Stevens 14, Ranises 12, Guillermo 10, Cornejo 6, Parala 5, Sarangay 5, Cinco 2, Pascual 0, Acosta 0.

UV 73 – Slaughter 22, Calo 13, Lao 8, Cincoflores 8, Dennison 6, Diputado 6, Manigque 6, Mercader 4, Cabahug 0.

Quarter scores: 10-19, 31-28, 45-52, 76-73.


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Author: Anton Roxas

Anton fell in love with the game of Basketball at the exact same moment he knew Michael Jordan. After playing high school ball for two UAAP seasons with the De La Salle-Zobel Junior Archers, he moved on to De La Salle University-Manila for college where he completed a degree in Applied Corporate Management. He almost ventured into a career in the corporate world but his love for the game prevailed. Anton somehow always knew, that if he didn't become "Like Mike," he would become what he is today - A Sportscaster. Covering Basketball, Volleyball and Boxing for ABS-CBN Sports is a dream come true for him. So is writing for this website.

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