The Lourdes School Quezon City (LSQC) Blue Titans Juniors team remained victorious in a battle of blue against the Lourdes School of Mandaluyong (LSM) Griffins, 47-44, giving them their second win in the Philippine Athletic Youth Association (PAYA) U18 at the Xavier School Jacinto Tiu Sports Center on Feb. 25.
LSQC was led by the precise shooting of Robin Baez for scoring ten points, may it be midrange or inside the paint. He scored many crucial points in this game which helped the team maintain the lead.
“Sobrang thankful kay Lord sa pag-gabay at kay Coach Junie na sobrang sipag at nagsasakripisyo para samin. Nagbubunga lang din siguro yung hard work namin as a team. Karangalan din sa amin na matalo syempre yung other branch ng Lourdes School [brother school] and sana magtuloy-tuloy pa yung wins namin,” said MVP Robin Baez.
Along with that, Gabriel Delos Reyes with ten points and three blocks, and Vin Villena with eight points, as always, dominated the paint by pushing through the defense while locking down their opponents.
Starting the first quarter, Delos Reyes scored two consecutive points, creating the early lead, then making two consecutive blocks to secure that lead was not giving LSM any chance to score. LSQC’s precise ball rotation led them to gain an 11-4 lead with 2:56 remaining in the first quarter.
On the other hand, the Griffins were ice-cold, giving the Titans many chances to score. However, they quickly turned the tables as they tightened up the defense, making room for many turnovers from LSQC. Nearing the end of the first quarter, the Griffins’ Reyes scored two consecutive three-point shots, ending the first quarter with a four-point difference, 18-14.
In the second quarter, LSM’s tight defense led to even more turnovers, giving more points to Reyes. Because of this, LSQC was slowing down while LSM gained momentum, which led to a three-point difference ending the first half, 30-27.
It was quite the same for the third quarter, though the Blue Titans began to score crucial points that ended LSM’s scoring streak. Delos Reyes’ jump shot and Anghelito Manabat’s excellent lay were the ones that helped LSQC to start getting back up on their feet.
It all came down to the final quarter, all players were going for man-to-man defense to try to get steals. LSQC’s ball movement led them to score more points to extend the lead, 43-37, but the Blue Titans had many turnovers.
Though nearing the end of the 4th quarter, the Griffins’ Esteban made a three-point shot. The score was 45-42 and the final stretch came. The Griffins made their final efforts, though it was not enough and the game ended, 47-44, giving another triumph to the Blue Titans.
“As you can see, the boys played well. I think they deserve to win because of their hardships, their perseverance, and their dedication to the team. And as I’ve always said to them, you do not represent yourself, you represent the school,” said Coach Romeo Jesus ‘Junie’ Verayo.
