Patriot cagers claim 1-1 record in PRISAA ‘15 opening

The DLSU-D cagers kept their hopes alive for the championship match as they marked an even win-loss card, 1-1, in the opening day of the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) – Provincials held at the Animo Center of De La Salle Health Sciences Institute (DLSHSI) yesterday, November 28.

 

Photo by Kathelyn Ann Bravo

Powerful game-opener

Despite DLSHSI’s home court advantage, the Patriot cagers started strong as they buried the Crusaders in their own territory, 116-61.

Patriots Ira Kim Imperial and Luke Joshua Parcero both tallied 13 points apiece as they nipped eight and six points in the last quarter, respectively.

In the dying seconds of the game, the Crusaders raged with a 6-0 run, but Egie Boy Mojica gave the exclamation point to the game as he electrified the crowd with his astonishing slam dunk and reversed dunk, 116-61.

 

Photo by Jerome Quinto

Turning point

Failing to maintain the momentum, the Patriots succumbed to a defeat against the defending champions University of Perpetual Help System Jonelta-GMA (UPHSJ-GMA) Blue Saints, 66-75.

Parcero and John Cantimbuhan paced the Patriot cagers with 18 and 16 markers, but their endgame composure faltered as they failed to register their second win in the meet.

The game started well for the Patriots as Parcero, Cantimbuhan, and Eljay Canuel fired their shots on target to race a 12-6 mark in the opening five minutes of the game.

However, the game eventually favored the Blue Saints in the second and third quarter with their timely baskets and pressure defense. Despite Cantimbuhan’s bucket, UPHSJ-GMA unleashed an 8-0 run to establish its biggest lead of the game at 43-57, three minutes remaining in the third period.

In the fourth quarter, the Patriots cut their deficit to five from Cantimbuhan’s drive, 63-68, but the team suffered until the match closed at 66-75.