AN INTACT Baguio College of Technology Atoms overcame a second half comeback by the Saint Louis University Navigators, 84 – 81, in the ongoing eliminations round of the Baguio – Benguet Educational Athletic League men’s basketball.
The Atoms played tougher defense though as it avoided a third quarter meltdown that saw their double digit lead erased, momentarily losing the lead but was able to pull through to earn their second victory in as many games at the PMA Jurado Hall Sunday afternoon.
“Sa trapping defense dun kame kulang. Yung ang dapat na pag aralan ng mga bata especially pag dikitan ang laro. Siguro sa mga susunod naming laro, yun ang dapat na ginagawa naming sa training,” said Atoms assistant coach Christian Galace.
“Sa SLU kasi marami din silang malalaki at maganda yung kanilang depensa kaya kami nahirapan,” added Galace.
After an 18 – 8 lead at the close of the opening canto, BCT slowly lost their advantage with SLU catching –up bit by bit ending the second quarter staring at a four point lead, 37 – 33.
Halfway in the third period, the Atoms were suddenly looking at a one point deficit, 39 – 40 as Shawn Aquisay, Mark Mondina and Jonas Gesmundo carried the Navigators to a one point lead with 6:30 remaining in the quarter.
But the Atoms returned the favor with a 13 – 2 run to retake the lead, 52 – 42, with 4:09 remaining in the quarter capped by a back to back triple by Azir Rabara.
Staring at a 62 – 52 deficit with 9:40 remaining in the ball game, the Navigators made one last push and slowly trimmed the lead to three, 84 – 81 on a triple by Aquisay with barely a second left but SLU failed to convert on a trey from Patrick Parallag to suffer their first defeat in two games.
Senior Jervy Calivo, who is playing in his last season, top scored for the Atoms with 23 markers while Reiner Amargo and Rabara chipped in 19 and 16 respectively with their six triples combined with Kram Domingo adding 12.
Galace meanwhile said they are bracing for a tough match – up against a retooled Cordillera Career Development College Admirals when they face off next month.
“CCDC yung isa sa mga malakas sa bracket namin aside from SLU kaya talagang pinaghahandaan din namin. Sana yung depensa namin mag - improve by that time,” added the former University of Baguio Cardinals.
Aquisay led all scorers for the Navigators with 16 points, 15 coming from the three point arc, while Mondina and Gesmundo added 12 apiece. Parallag finished with nine markers. (Roderick Osis)