RIYADH, 19 April — Once again, the youth prevailed on top of the full-grown. The IPSR (International Philippine School in Riyadh) team of coach Kit Umali proved something and vowed to move forward after whipping their rivals, TFC-Metro Bank team of playing coach Joel Magpantay, (94-89) in the continuing games of the Jeraisy Group of Companies First Open Inter-Company Basketball League taking place at the Jeraisy Staff Compound Basketball Court, Exit 7 every Thursday and Friday.
Marlon Hernandez of TFC-Metro Bank team served the ice-breaker of the match and at the same time led the scoring spree of his team with 27 points not to mention leading his team’s statistics spreadsheet with 13 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 shot blocks and a steal.
Likewise, Bernard Manuel of IPSR scored 25 points while Jojo Flores and Larvo Vilarmino chipped in 19 and 16 points respectively. With six players in attendance for TFC-Metro Bank team, the first canto concluded with 20-16 score, the IPSR team in the driver’s seat with Christer Umali adding a further blow on the crucial dying seconds till the end of the second quarter, 48-42.
During the third quarter, coach Joel Magpantay of TFC-Metro Bank team regrouped his squad and made a great effort as the rest of the team members came to the rescue.
Butch Jose, who had highlighted 20 points in his team’s scoreboard converted a shot, which resulted to record the first deadlock at 52-all with 6:11 time remaining. Slowly, IPSR’s defense collapsed when Larvo Vilarmino committed his 5th foul during the 4:39 time remaining.
TFC-Metro Bank boyz wisely took advantage of this moment and made it to even the score again at 59-all with 2:59 time left and closing this canto with 64-all score, registering the third deadlock of the match.
Both teams fought courageously to the defense of their team during the final quarter with no one giving up the scuffle. Coach Kit Umali brought into play the abilities of his veteran center Joey Cutanda to defend the in and out moves of young captain Bernard Manuel; and paid high dividend as he managed to give a go ahead score of 79-75 from a free throw with 4:57 time left and stretched further through the effective and timely assists of Jojo Flores, 89-83 during the last two minutes of the ballgame.
TFC’s Jerson Pasumbal played a crucial role to keep his team on the go as he converted a triple with 49 seconds left followed by a split free throw shot and the score was recorded at 92-89. This time,
Pasumbal’s attempt to duplicate his triple shot gesture was in vain as Dennis Damayo received the ball from a fast break and successfully converted the last shot of the ballgame paving the way for the IPSR team sealed this match with 94-89 score in their favor.
