Topnotch agony of defeats

By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.

 

THE surging Philippine Colleges of Science and Technology’ (PhilCST) Topnotch quintet suffered its three defeats in the hands of co-title contenders in UCAAP and PRISAA leagues this season. Yes, heartbreaking losses in the dying ticks of the match which pundits say should have been victories for them. Topnotch lost twice consecutively to Lyceum Northwestern University (LNU) Dukes in the UCAAP tilt.

It first happened last September 13, lost by eight points after leading the first two quarters, 21-15 and 39-29, trailed by a mere point on the third, 51-52, and produced six deadlocks on the fourth, 62-62, 64-64, 66-66, 68-68, 70-70 and 72-72 in the last 1:47 minutes. They eventually succumbed to the much spirited and defending champions Dukes, 80-72.

The second was on September 23 in another a nail-biting match. Topnotch who took the front in the first three quarters, 22-19, 40-33, 55-49, attributed to its five marquee players, Gernet Asuncion, Francisco dela Pena, Efren Boado, Ismael Sarmiento and dunk specialist Renz Abando delivering the goods. But again, they succumbed in the last four minutes of the fourth quarter when the match was in five see-saw battles (66-65, 68-67, 69-68, 71-70, 72-71) until finally the piercing Dukes of Gilmark Meneses spearheaded by Aljick Aquino and Roxar Melendez caught them off guard with a technical foul called against point-guard Paolo Acosta. An altercation ensued between referee commissioner Jon Cancino and Topnotch head coach Cris Calaguio in the remaining 1:20 minutes but cooler head prevailed. With Dukes leading by four points, 74-70, Aquino and Melendez sealed the match, 78-75, perfectly converting their two free throws each.  The unexpected happened. Topnotch withdrew from the tournament for still unknown reasons.

What happened to Topnotch in the UCAAP games happened again in their first game against defending champions University of Luzon (UL) Golden Tigers on October 10 held at Calasiao Sports Complex. The Topnotch trailing by two points, 21-23, in the first period, seized the front in the second quarter by three marks, 46-43, and four in the third, 71-67, and inflated the gap by as much to eight points halfway in the fourth and final juncture, 80-72, with its key players Asuncion, Abando and Sarmiento doing the damage.  Then, Topnotch only scored one point in the last 2:32 minutes while their opponents executed 15 that stunned the spectators including this writer. It was the trio of UL veterans Brandon Vinluan, Mario Torio and Reynald Ballesteros who gave the deadly blows, a 15-1 salvo.

Anyway they will meet again in the best-of-three championship series for being the top two teams in the league after the semis. (See related story on this page) Observers say it’s an even match. However, Topnotch always end up being sapped in the end game when their opponents are also tough as they are. They need to fix their mental strength if they want to win the title.

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QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “Behold, this day I am going the way of all the earth. And you know in all your hearts and in all your souls that not one thing has failed of all the good things which the Lord your God spoke concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one word of them has failed.” JOSHUA 23: 14

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