Manaoag earns 1st win in finals, thumps Urdaneta City

By April 21, 2019News, Sports

LINGAYEN – Manaoag cagers moved closer to the championship title after they nipped Urdaneta City with a 89-82 win in the 3rd Governor’s Cup Inter-Town/City Basketball Tournament finals.

In game 1 of the 3rd Governor’s Cup Inter-Town/City Basketball Tournament finals, Team Manaoag got the job done in a crucial match despite sluggish start.

Manaoag snipers Manny Santos and Joe Anthony Jacinto uncorked back-to-back three-point shots as early as the first quarter but their team still suffered a 4-point deficit against Urdaneta City, 28-24.

The raging Urdaneta team flattened the opponent in the early going exacting a towering 10-point lead, 39-29, with 7 minutes left in the second canto. That was enough to jolt Manaoag cagers from their lackluster performance.

They wrought an uninterrupted 7 points shot to narrow their deficit to 5 points, 41-36. The enthralling rally posted a deadlock in the last minute of the halftime, 47-47, but was later turned into 1-point advantage of Urdaneta City against Manaoag, 50-49.

Manaoag cagers eventually improved on their momentum in the third quarter. Kevin F. Santos sported his speed in driving the ball and assisted by Manaoag’s pride and “slam king,” Mark Christian Meneses. Despite good teamwork, Urdaneta City was trailing in the third quarter via 7-point deficit, 70-63.

Team Manaoag unleashed their final five: Santos, Meneses, Adrian Barrozo, Elpidio Veloria and Angelo Aromin the final quarter but the team was dealt with an out-of-the-blue 2-point deficit, 73-71, with 6 minutes left in the game clock.

After a deadlock, 74-74, Urdaneta City was nowhere to be found as Manaoag cagers nudged their opponents for 3 minutes with their nonstop baskets to earn 8-point lead, 83-75.

Urdaneta City, however, managed to narrow their deficit to 1 point with 25 seconds left. The offense and blazing desire of Team Manaoag set them afloat and thumped their foes with a 7-point advantage.

Team Lingayen won the knockout match game for third place against their equally-strong cagers from Sto. Tomas.

The last season’s defending champion flashed sparks of brilliance after ruling all the third quarters (26-18, 60-47, and 100-72) against their nemesis, Sto. Tomas who conceded at the fourth quarter.

The schedule for Game 2 is on April 26. (PIA/ SMDG)

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