SCC Clinker Masters stun MCF Team

Rookie team Saudi Cement Company (SCC) led by captain Rodrigo Mariano and mentored by coach Lyndon Monzon and his assistants Joey Gabison and Joel Fernandez stunned fancied MCF Team to score a 75-62 victory in the 5th NGHA-KAH Open Basketball Tournament 2013 5’8” & Below Category at the National Guard Health Affairs-King Abdulaziz Hospital’s Bachelor Housing Compound Recreational Facilities in Al Hasa.
Ace forward Francisco Baraquel and Jonathan Collado started their onslaught with accurate perimeter shots, but their opponents quickly retaliated with a barrage of outside shots, leading them by 8 points midway in the first quarter. Sensing trouble, the SCC Clinker Masters capitalized on their agility by challenging their counterparts with a running game.
Point guard Stephen Caboverde and small guard Alfie Loquinario scored several fast break points which overturned the lead in their favor.
SCC applied precise motion offense and 2-3 zone defense plays which increased their lead to 13 by the end of the second quarter.
Power forward Edwin Javier and Center Alano Estira executed well their practiced give-and-go plays and displayed terrific ball movement, while hunk power forward Ermie Capispisan used his size by effectively playing low post with nice pivots. Baraquel continued to wreak havoc with his triples, as supported by finger roll lay-ups from team captain Mariano.
MCF rallied in the third quarter, cutting SCC’s lead to only one point. Coach Monzon, upon the advice from team consultants Edgar Lara and Eddie Macapobre, shifted their strategy to 2-2-1 sagging man-to-man defense which surprised their counterparts. Court-to-court hustling and efficient ball handling by guard Raymond Prado, along with efficient boxing out by center Sulfecio Silorio, brought their lead back to 11 points. SCC’s lead could have been bigger had their players made most of their free throws, but that hardly mattered.
Center-forward Josephus Panungaling stepped up his game in the last quarter by dominating the boards with both offensive and defensive rebounds, and displayed elegant shots.
Forwards Charlie Dacalos, Ernesto De Leon and Carlo Rojo applied the triangle trap defense, enabling veteran Forward Rosello Repuesto to deliver points in the crucial moments, while gaining from assist feeds by guard Aldren Tering.
Center Arvin Diamante and Richard Suarez did not play due to knee injuries sustained in previous game but were there to cheer the team and give moral support.