Sports Eye
How the championship was won
By Jesus A. Garcia Jr.
AS expected the defending champions Lyceum Northwestern University Dukes finished the UCAAP Inter-Collegiate Jimmy Fernandez Basketball Challenge best-of-three championship series with a bang.
What they did in the first game was done in similar fashion in the second game. Like the first, they never gave their arch-opponent a chance to reach the third and deciding match by repulsing the UPang-PHINMA Flames by 11 points, 83-72, on November 16, same margin they had in their first encounter, 88-77, on November 12. The piercing Dukes of head coach Nanoy Duque were relentless in the first three quarters, threatened in the final period, but eventually managed to hang on up to the final buzzer and successfully defended their title with much to spare.
Like in their first encounter, I saw how the Dukes’ fans were outnumbered at Dagupan People’s Astrodome but the team was never outfought. The venue was full to the rafters mostly students from the University of Pangasinan. Yes, the Dukes despite being the reigning titlists, were surprisingly out-roared, out-cheered, out-tweeted but unperturbed up to the last basket of the game.
The Dukes took the first period, 22-19, with Mangaldan son power-forward Aljick Aquino at the helm converting 11 points including two treys beyond the arc while Flames spitfire Ariel Valdez countered from the medium range with six points and assisted by Joe Anthony Jacinto with four.
The second canto was for Dukes center Mariano Catabay collaring five rebounds and pumping in seven marks and assisted by power-forward Roxar Melendez with five and Rodcel Yanga contributing four points, respectively, all done in the shaded lane, while Flames center Darwin Barte responded with seven points and power-forward Jacinto assisting with six to trail the Dukes by nine, 31-40. There was an intermission number after the half period with the UPang Dance Group giving a beautiful special number to the delight of crowd. I, too, could not help but clap and doff my hat to them. I was told that they were champions in this cheerleading competition in our region.
The third juncture was played in a similar fashion for the two teams but the Flames got the upper-hand and reduced Dukes lead by seven 50-57, from nine, 31-40, after the half.
The Dukes misfired in the middle of the fourth and final period and Flames successfully tied the score at 63-63 all, with Ric Gordovin taking charge rifling in 13 points alone that forced Duque to call a timeout, 6:56 left, obviously to halt Gordovin’s attacks. Duque’s timeout paid off to seize the onslaught with Melendez converting 12 points and collaring six boards alone and Yanga nailing down seven marks inside the lane and sealed the championship.
“We prayed hard for this game and it’s our savior Jesus Christ who decided to give us this victory. To all the grace that we have in this tournament was in Jesus name,” Duque said. “This is for Dagupan so we will continue to train and play hard for the coming North and Central Luzon tournament of the PCCL (Philippine Collegiate Champions League) scheduled on November 30 to December 7 and which games will be played at LNU gym.” Duque added.
Yes, being a Pangasinense, we have to support the LNU team because it is now our team representing our province and Dagupan. Hopefully our team will continue to move to the tournament’s next level. Good luck coach. Being a rookie in this kind of sport mentoring, I doff my hat to Nanoy Duque!
* * * *
QUOTE OF THE WEEK: Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. JAMES 4: 11
(For your comments and reactions, please email to: punch.sunday@gmail.com)
Share your Comments or Reactions
Powered by Facebook Comments
