Two teams which are preparing for the coming collegiate season got an idea on how ready they are.
That’s what the National University Lady Bulldogs and the San Sebastian College Staglets experienced in winning the women’s and junior division crowns of the 23rd Fr. Martin Cup Summer Basketball tournament.
Returning veteran Trixie Antiquera fired 18 points to lead the Lady Bulldogs to a 76-69 beating of the La Salle Lady Archers for the women’s plum at the MVP gymnasium of the San Beda College-Manila campus in Mendiola.
Meawnhile, the Staglets, led by Adamson transferee Alex Desoyo and big man Damie Cuntapay, stood their ground and fended off the Letran Squires, 83-80, in the battle for the junior division honors.
For the Lady Bulldogs, it was their second cage crown in three years in this cagefest which is supported by Armor On Sportswear.
And they took it at the expense of an opponent who they fought off in the finals of the last three seasons of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines women’s cagefest.
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The Lady Bulldogs leaned on a 9-0 run touched off by Ria Nabalan and Antquiera’s triple in the last three minutes to overtake the Lady Archers and move away, 39-34 at halftime.
“Sabi ko sa kanila, they need to play as hard as they can. This is our preparation for next year’s UAAP women’s basketball season,” said Lady Bulldogs coach Patrick Aquino.
Antiquera sank five of six treys during that period, and then gave way to the big plays of Nabalan and 6’4 Congo cager Rheena Itesi in the third quarter.
Nabalan made 16 points, including a drive in the last 35 seconds of the third that handed NU a 57-46 spread. This helped NU finish the tournament with seven straight wins.
“We have to stop their shooters, lessen our errors and use our height advantage. The plan went well, And our small guys found openings to shoot,” added Aquino.
Khate Castillo shot 16 points for La Salle, which lost the UAAP women’s title to NU last season.
On the other hand, the Staglets found the experience they needed to be competitive in the coming season 93 of the National Collegiate Athletic Association junior cagefest.
The 6’5 Cuntapay made his presence felt underneath for the tall Staglets side, firing seven of 15-point output in the second period.
His baskets, along with triples from four other teammates allowed the Staglets to move away, 45-34, at halftime, their biggest in the game.
The Squires, with Kobe Monje showing the way with 13 points, rallied and gave the Staglets a scare in the fourth, 74-77.
But Cuntapay’s inside plays, along with that of another big man, JP Timbacaya, allowed the Staglets to remain, 80-74, in the last 1:14.
“The boys showed their maturity. They overcame the rally. They found a way,” said Staglets coach Mel Banua.
Banua is the new coach of the Staglets. He took over in the second round of season 92 from Franco Atienza.