Warning: Black Shark Is Here

The D Lillard 2 Black Shark will eat alive the defense!

HE IS like a shark, ready to pounce on his unsuspecting prey in the waters of the National Basketball Association.  In honor of Portland Trailblazers superstar Damian Lillard being a scoring force, adidas has launched the Black Shark edition of D Lillard 2 signature shoe. Entering his fifth season in the league, Lillard is averaging a mean 21.4 points over 321 regular season games, including an all-time high of 25.1 in the recent 2015-2016 campaign good for Fifth Place among all players.

The latest edition features tonal black treatment with hits of red, oak print detailing on the lack lock, heel counter, outsole and BOUNCE midsole.  There is also unique chain stitch embroidery along the silhouette upper.

The D Lillard 2 Black Shark edition can now be caught at adidas stores and major department stores, sporting goods shops and retail partners.  Suggested retail price is PHP 5,995.00.

Tadlas, Abella Open MILO’s Vis-Min Swing

     TAGBILARAN CITY – The 40^th MILO Marathon has hit the Visayas with the successful staging of the Tagbilaran City qualifying race last September 18.  Bobby Tadlas emerged as the leg’s overall champion by negotiating the 21-kilometer course in 1:12:47.

Tadlas was last season’s Butuan City champion and has previously won the shorter distances in the said leg.  Coming in Second Place was Richgie Dala at 1:14:51 with Dodong Vosotros completing the podium at 1:18:06.

Lizane Abella, a regular MILO podium finisher, ruled the distaff side in 1:32:55 followed by Kisha Mae Delechos in 1:38:48.  Former back-to-back Iloilo City champion Adjennie de los Santos landed in Third Place at 1:41:22.

Overall, a total of 21 men and six women earned slots in the National Finals set for December 6 in Iloilo.  Bigger cash prizes and a chance to represent the Philippines in an international marathon await the winners.

Cebu City will host this coming Sunday’s leg on September 25.  Another huge crowd is expected as the Queen City of the South has always easily been the best in terms of attendance among the regional races outside of Metro Manila.

Other Winners: Jonathan Pagaura and Lovely Fe Andrin (10 kilometers), Abelito Neiz and April Joy Alampayan (five kilometers) and John Vincent Ingente and Charisse Claire Encarnacion (three kilometers).

NAASCU: Fatima d. Enderun, 80-78

     MAKATI CITY – Joseph Marquez shook off the effects of a shoulder injury in the first half as he keyed the major victory of Our Lady of Fatima University over Enderun Colleges, 80-78, in a battle of league leaders of the 16^th National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (NAASCU) at the Makati Coliseum Friday (September 23). Marquez scored four points in the final two minutes to close their schedule at 10-3 and provisional solo leadership of the 14-team field.

Marquez started his heroics with two free throws which was immediately followed by a steal and easy layup for Miguel Bryan Cabrera that restored the lead to the Phoenix for good with 1:48 to play, 77-76.  Marquez then padded the lead with a field goal at the 1:40 mark, 79-76.

The Phoenix then sent fouled Mark Joseph Nunez while attempting a triple with 14 seconds remaining and the usually steady guard made the first two but missed his third shot that could have tied the game. The loose ball found its way to the hands of Cabrera who was then fouled and split his charities with five seconds to play.

After a timeout, the Titans had a chance to reverse the outcome but Wabo Kaptue mishandled the ball and the Phoenix simply hurled the ball into their end of the court as the buzzer sounded.  The Titans fell to 9-3 with one more game left against streaking Philippine Merchant Marine School.

Marquez was adjudged as Best Player with 14 points and five rebounds with his performance at crunch time sealing the deal.  Emil Japzon hit five triples to pace Fatima with 15 points, the same total as Jerome Juanico who also had 15 points.

“We are not celebrating yet,” said Coach Ralph Emerson Rivera.  “The other teams have yet to complete their schedules so we will see what happens next.”

Kaptue was the high man for Enderun with 19 points and 15 rebounds but his final error cost them the game.  Joshua Grilli was next with 17 points on perfect three for three shooting from the three-point line.

How They Scored:

OUR LADY OF FATIMA (80) – Juanico 15, Japzon 15, Cabrera 14, Marquez 14, Bargola 6, Pedrosa 6, Datu 6, Perea 2, Jimenez 2, Albano 0, Essomba 0.

ENDERUN (78) – Kaptue 19, Grilli 17, Vidal 11, de la Cruz 9, Nunez 8, Villar 8, Gatdula 6, Dungan 0, Turingan 0.

Period Scores: 15-16, 36-33, 56-52, 80-78.

NAASCU: Saint Clare d. New Era, 93-58

     MAKATI CITY – Saint Clare College of Caloocan finally ended its three-game losing streak by venting their frustrations on New Era University, 93-58, in continuing action from the 16^th National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (NAASCU) at the Makati Coliseum Friday (September 23).  The Saints’ sudden tailspin saw them fall all the way to the middle of the pack after lording it over the standings since the league opened last August 25.

For a while it looked like the losing would continue as New Era took the first period, 17-14, thanks to good plays from John Akindele and Clyde Reyes.  However, the Saints regrouped in the second period and blew the game wide open by outscoring their foes, 32-8, with shooter Rojay Santos coming off the bench to join Paeng Rebugio, Michael de Leon and Junjie Hallare in the scoring parade.

New Era never recovered from the second period blast as Santos continued his shooting display in the third period and Steve Fongue and Aris Dionisio patrolled the inside to wrap up the win.  Saint Clare improved to 7-4 and must win their two remaining assignments against Lyceum of Subic Bay and Colegio de San Lorenzo if they wish to attain one of two outright semifinal berths.

Fongue led the Saints with 16 points and 13 rebounds.  Santos hit five of his nine attempts from the three-point arc to end up with 15 points and two steals.

Akindele paced New Era with 11 points and 12 rebounds.  Marc Cabacungan was next with 10 points as they ended their season with only two wins in 13 starts.

How They Scored:

SAINT CLARE (80) – Fongue 16, Santos 15, de Leon 12, Hallare 10, Rebugio 6, Dionisio 6, Palencia 5, Rios 5, Esguerra 4, Perez 4, Fuentes 2, Calapine 2, de los Reyes 2, Puspus 2, Managuelod 2, Principe 0.

NEW ERA (78) – Akindele 11, Cabacungan 10, Velchez 7, Ramos 7, Bringas 6, Reyes 5, Kyrin 3, Asistio 3, Magkalas 2, Perez 2, Castillo 2, Villareal 0, Macaranas 0, Absin 0, Roque 0, Pamat 0.

Period Scores: 14-17, 46-25, 74-42, 93-58.

NAASCU: PMMS d. Pasay, 92-64

     MAKATI CITY – Now, Philippine Merchant Marine School is suddenly a serious contender at the 16^th National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (NAASCU).  The Las Pinas City-based quintet coasted to their seventh straight win by manhandling also-ran City University Pasay, 92-64, Friday (September 23) at the Makati Coliseum.

It was the expected result when the league’s hottest team meets the league’s coldest team.  Still, the winless Eagles gave it a good fight and even scored the game’s first basket but the Mariners’ firepower proved too much to handle as starters Reggie Debulcos and Domark Matillano and substitute Elvin Chan attacked the hoop relentlessly to build a commanding 27-13 margin after one period.

After the halftime break, the Mariners continued from where they left off and scored the first eight points of the third period for the game’s biggest lead, 48-25.  The hard luck Eagles thus absorbed their 11^th loss of the season with two games left for them to garner their breakthrough win.

Debulcos led all scorers with 17 points for Best Player honors.  Matillano hit three triples en route to 15 points.

Team captain Daniel Lewis Lizardo returned from an illness to pace the Eagles with 13 points and seven rebounds.  James Solero was another bright spot for Pasay with 12 points and seven rebounds.

The seven-game winning streak of the Mariners matches the seven-game streak set by the Saint Clare Saints to begin the season.  PMMS can set the new season record in their final game against Enderun Colleges on Sunday (September 25) at the Rizal Technological University Gym.

How They Scored:

P M M S (92) – Debulcos 17, Matillano 15, Chan 10, Antonares 8, Margaja 7, Stevens 6, Bernardo 6, Yagonia 4, Gilbero 4, Mboe 3, Quilatan 2, Feliciano 2, Villamayor 2, Regero 2, Galay 2, Attas 1, Mascardo 1.

PASAY (64) – Lizardo 13, Solero 12, J de la Cruz 6, Gatchalian 6, Macasil 6, Acidre 4, Encina 3, Padilla 3, Villagomez 3, Castaneda 2, Erice 2, Catarbas 2, Laxamana 2, Cahansa 0, Penaredondo 0, R de la Cruz 0.

Period Scores: 27-13, 50-25, 67-42, 92-64.

NAASCU: MLQU d. RTU, 101-96 OT

    MAKATI CITY – Manuel L. Quezon University bolstered its playoff drive by stopping Rizal Technological University in overtime, 101-96, at the 16^th National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (NAASCU) at the Makati Coliseum Friday (September 23).  The Stallions can formalize their entry by winning their final game against De Ocampo Memorial College this Sunday (September 25) at the RTU Gym.

Gianne Rivera forced the extra period by scoring on a running shot through the baseline with 19 second left on the clock, 90-90.  RTU failed to score in the ensuing possession as the buzzer sounded amidst a mad scramble for the loose ball.

In the overtime, Nikko Lao hit the marginal three-pointer to push MLQU ahead, 93-92.  As the Blue Thunder stayed within striking distance, Lao almost became the goat as he stepped on the baseline to return the ball to RTU as they nursed a 98-96 lead with 28 ticks to play.

Luckily for the Stallions, Cyrus Tabi threw the ball away forcing RTU to foul Jeymark Mallari who then split his free throws for more cushion, 99-96.  Another failed RTU possession led to a deliberate foul by Storm Riva on Christopher Bitoon who knocked in a free throw to settle the outcome.

Keeping possession, Bitoon was fouled anew by Kerr Bangeles to shoot one more charity for the final tally. It was a tough loss for the Blue Thunder who slowly erased a 10-point deficit at the start of the fourth period and finally seized control via a Riva triple with 25.8 seconds to go.

Lao powered the Stallions with 24 points and 19 rebounds in 41 minutes of play.  Bitoon followed with 21 points, eight rebounds and eight assists.

Tabi paced the Blue Thunder with 38 points.  Bangeles was next with 28 points and seven rebounds.

Suddenly, RTU finds itself in danger of missing the eight-team playoffs for the first time with a 7-6 win-loss record, good for Ninth Place.  The Blue Thunder has been consistently in the top four since first joining the NAASCU in 2013.

How They Scored:

MANUEL L. QUEZON (101) – Lao 24, Bitoon 21, Mallari 14, Baliday 13, Rivera 9, Pangan 9, Ignacio 5, Padua 4, Aurelio 2, de la Cruz 0.

RIZAL TECHNOLOGICAL (96) – Tabi 38, Bangeles 28, Senires 12, Estoce 7, Flores 5, Riva 4, Asuncion 2, Liquinan 0, Tilos 0, Banaag 0, Monghit 0, Lagman 0, Reyes 0, Lutia 0.

Period Scores: 17-16, 41-39, 71-61, 90-90 (reg.), 101-96 (OT).

NAASCU: Lyceum-Subic d. EARIST, 95-69

    MAKATI CITY – Lyceum of Subic Bay clobbered Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology, 95-69, at the resumption of the 16^th National Athletic Association of Schools, Colleges and Universities (NAASCU) at the Makati Coliseum Friday morning (September 23).  The win improved the Sharks’ chances of capturing an outright semifinal berth as they rose to 9-3.

It was total domination for the Sharks with starting guard Carl Michael Lumbao scattering 16 of his game-high 18 points in the opening period as they rushed ahead, 26-12.  The Red Fox never recovered as Lyceum led all the way up to the final buzzer, at one point by as high as 27 markers in the fourth period, 90-63.

Also hitting big numbers were Allen Fomera who made 11 of his 17 points in the final period and Edsel Saludo with 11 points and six rebounds.  Coach Kerwin McCoy had the luxury to spread out the minutes among his players as they now prepare for next week’s playoffs.

Andreas Cahilig continued to produce superlative individual statistics with 16 points and 10 rebounds but it was again not enough to prevent another EARIST defeat, their 10^th against only two wins.  Bryan Hilario added 13 points and Tolits Natividad followed with 12 points, six rebounds, five assists and five steals.

How They Scored:

LYCEUM OF SUBIC BAY (95) – Lumbao 18, Fomera 17, Saludo 11, del Rosario 10, Siewe 7, Macatlang 6, Timpog 5, Santos 3, Pelaez 2, Alcantara 2, Jacaban 2, Hansen 2, San Luis 0.

E A R I S T (69) – Cahilig 16, Hilario 13, Natividad 12, Montealegre 9, Pancho 6, Llobrera 5, Joyo 2, Galvez 2, Bandalan 2, Baculpo 1, del Rio 1, Martinez 0, Ramos 0, Urbano 0, Cabalsi 0.

Period Scores: 26-12, 45-28, 63-51, 95-69.