Warriors obliterate Eagles Lady Eagle in men’s basketball, 66-52 shuttlers
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By Ressan Nash N. Alonto
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he Warriors finally thrashed the threeyear winning streak of the Eagles with the final score of 66-52 during the September 20 Intramurals basketball championship at the XU Gym. Eagle captain Jett Yaranon led the Eagles with 13 points. However, the yellow team couldn’t handle the inside presence of Warrior Bonn John Orquiza who spearheaded Engineering with 19 points, with guard Prince Allen Lolor chipping in with 17. The Warriors overwhelmed the Eagles with a flurry of baskets and a smothering defense to earn an early 17-7 advantage. The College of Engineering crowd shouted its approval in the second quarter, when Lolor sank a series of threepointers to end the half 34-20 in favour of the maroon team. During the start of the second half, the Eagles struggled to gain the lead from the Warriors, who remained on top with baskets from Jonart Tabanao, John Louie Ablanque, and Mark Lawrence Tan. The Eagles tried to fight back with a couple of trifectas by Jhordann Lomonggo and James Dahilan, but could not come over the
Warriors, who ended with a 47-32 lead at the end of the period. During the closing minutes of the game, the Warriors proved their domination, grabbing five offensive rebounds in a row and ending with a basket in the paint by Orquiza. “Teamwork jud… have faith in God, mao nang number one gyud,” center Orquiza said of his team’s winning formula. “Tanan-tanan bai, among practices, among hago… niabot sa 5-0 na win… among team na-champion. Nakuha gyud namo.”C
MAN-TO-MAN. Warrior searches for an opening to Eagle’s smothering. (V. VILLO)
By Hannah Mae S. Salugsugan
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he Warriors rallied hard in the fourth quarter to draw level with the Eagles’ 25 points, setting in motion an electrifying overtime. Keeping their composure, the Warriors gloriously defeated the Eagles, 29-27, in the extra period during the final game for women’s basketball on September 20 at the XU Gym. Trailing in the first period with 12-5, the Warriors made a dash in the second quarter with nine points while the Eagles scored a feeble two. But with the Eagles’ stifling defense, the Warriors were only able to finish even with them in the last two minutes of the fourth quarter, with Kathy Kamputcha Paguican leading the charge to knot the score to 23 all. However, the Eagles were quick to recoup by gaining two points; but on the last 17 seconds
of the final quarter, Warrior Kesha Mae Jeun scored on a putback to send the game into overtime with 25-25. After a series of failed attempts, Eagle Dominique Ann Habunal then scored the first basket in overtime, setting the score to 2725. However, the maroon squad had a better offensive showing when Warrior Kimberly Alia managed a triple, giving them a one-point advantage. With the ball in the Eagles’ possession, the gym went afire with the crowd all shouting defense. But a series of missed attempts from the Eagles and a foul by Habulan gave the Warriors another one point, taking them to a 29-27 lead at 0:26 mark before going dry the rest of the way.C
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he Eagles once again dominated the courts in badminton, grabbing the gold in both women’s singles and doubles, as well as in mixed doubles. Eagle Maria Ellinor Bitanga took an early lead against Warrior Monirih Abejuela in the women’s singles championship game, scoring a 21-8 in the first set. Her agility gave her an edge over Abejuela’s stronger serves. Abejuela did not recover in the second set, ending with only 4 points to Bitanga’s victorious 21. Viraliza Belok of the Wolves, who was forced to only eight and seven points respectively in the semi-finals match against Bitanga, recovered in the Finals to take home the bronze after beating the Pythons in a close fight. The Eagles reigned again in the women’s doubles, winning against the Pythons in the championship game. Lady Eagles Kristine Adrianne Labay and Jehanne Marie Manguiran capitalized on their speed as they played a good defense, winning two straight sets against Pythons Moreen Daba and Donna Aba. Fighting for third were the Phoenixes and the Tigers. The former had an early advantage, leaving the Tigers with only 12 points. The Tigers, however, fought back in the second set, garnering 22-20. The third set was a close fight, and both teams were close to the 21 mark. In the end, Phoenixes Franchesca Miole and Nicole Siena prevailed by 2 points. The mixed doubles gold was bagged by Eagles tandem Bitanga and Abdulbari Solaiman, playing against Warriors Abejuela and John Mark Sabellina. The match started with a neck to neck race to the 21 mark, but halfway through the first set, Sabellina contracted a foot injury, weakening the Warriors’ defense. The Eagles strengthened their offense and finished the set on top, 21-12. The second set saw the Warriors much fatigued. The Eagles notched nine straight points while the Warriors remained scoreless and struggling. That proved to be the trend, as the Warriors were held off to only six points throughout the set. A Sabellina smash that fell short gave the game to the Eagles. In 3rd place were the Bullriders tandem of Julie Ann Marie Yap and Lanz Turrecha, who defeated the Wizards, 21-17 for both sets.C www.thecrusaderpublication.com
Design by Kristoffer James Nambatac and Rochelle Barros
Warriors slip past Eagles in women’s hoops overtime
By Bianca Nathalie Y. Llamis
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