by: JC Burog
Roaring chants, anxious spectators and mighty gladiators – all of these were present as the Senior High School Department witnessed the heated battle between the soaring Blue Eagles and the mighty Red Tamaraws for the Basketball Championship on September 16 at the Edgar V. Bondoc Gymnasium.
The jam-packed gym was overflowing with emotions and tension as the bleachers were filled with supporters from each of the teams that were rooting for their idols. The Red Tamaraws started strong with Ryan Daza, a known basketball prodigy recognized as part of the Mythical Five in his Junior High year, scoring the first points of the game. Jalil Mocamad, the Team Captain of the Blue Eagles, together with the rest of the team were beginning to warm up as they hold off the Tamaraw’s early offensive stampede. The First Quarter ended with 5-2.
The crowd’s excitement prevailed as they continued to chant their team yells as the second quarter started. The Red Tamaraws were granted early opportunities as they continued to score the first points but the Blue Eagles did not remain silent as with each point drew an increase within the perimeter defense of the Eagles. Ken Mariano proved to everybody his skills and capabilities with every ball possession as he shot the first 3-pointer of the game. This created a pandemonium amongst the crowd as they stood from their seats with extreme eagerness and joy. Miles Corvera, also a renowned basketball prodigy, lead the Blue Eagles as he continued on with his relentless drives against the twin towers of the Tamaraws. The heated battle of the Second Quarter ended with 10-6.
The Blue Eagles started the third quarter with a promising lineup with Paul Jimenez as the main Ball Handler. With Jimenez’s proficient ball handling together with Hernandez’s fearless commitment, the Blue Eagles were able to meet the fearsome Red Tamaraw’s at a critical standoff as they tied the game. The Quarter’s foul game was quite rampant and this granted the Blue Eagles its first lead with Meguizo’s freethrow thus ending the Third Quarter with a 1 point lead in favor of the Blue Eagles at 10-11.
The Eagles and the Tamaraws strengthened their defense and sharpened their instincts as the final quarter began. There was only a 1 point differential between the two and thus each of the players played even stronger negating and lowering the possibility of a breakthrough. Ignacio quickly scores the first bucket in the fourth. Corvera quickly rallies the Blue Eagles at the other side of the court and shoots for the Blue Eagles. It was an extreme back and forth play between the two gladiatorial like teams as they continued to duke it out to determine the one true champion. Ziven Paz shone among the Blue Eagles as he shot a 3 pointer which ignited the fire amongst the hearts of the Eagle players. Buenavidez quickly rallied the Tamaraws as he draws the game. With Ambaic’s final freethrows, he seals the deal and allowed the Blue Eagles to prevail with the Final Score of 19-21.