Fr. Martin’s Cup : Archers secure win over JRU

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It was another heart-stopping moment when a JRU Heavy Bomber released a wide-open three, with less than 15 seconds to go in the 4^th quarter. The Archers were up by two, 65-63, and should the shot go in, the Greens would have to scramble for a basket to win the game. Fortunately, the shot missed and DLSU went on to win their 4^th victory in the Fr. Martin’s Cup.

The De La Salle Green Archers started the game slow, allowing the Jose Rizal University Heavy Bombers to score the first few points in the game. By the time the first eight minutes of the game ticked by, the boys were already down by 9 points, 8-17. Finally waking up, the Archers tightened up their defense and prevented the Heavy Bombers to score in the remaining time in the quarter, while upping the offense and tying the ballgame to end the first.

The second quarter had a series of lead changes, with both teams fighting to gain the upper hand. A half-court violation by the Archers caused them to be trailing by 3, 31-28, near the end of the quarter. Surging ahead, they scored four straight points, all courtesy of Ferdinand, to close the 1^st half ahead, 32-31.

The third quarter meant business for DLSU. They were more aggressive, though the lead kept swinging in the first few minutes. Finally, Maui Villanueva makes a basket to break the tie at 37 points, and the team’s press caused JRU to turn the ball over. They weren’t able to make a basket from the turnover but LA Revilla’s steal in the next possession was converted and put them up by 4, 41-37. To further strengthen their lead, Norbert Torres used his built to dominate the inside. A three-pointer from Revilla (off a nice dish from Torres) gave the Archers their biggest lead of the night, 49-40. At the end of the quarter, the score was 52-46, in favor of DLSU.

Both teams weren’t able to score for a good two minutes in the start of the last canto. The first two points were made from Torres’ shots from the stripe, bring them up to 54-46. Unfortunately for us, that seemed to be a signal for the Heavy Bombers to pick themselves up – they scored 6 straight points within the next minute, coming to within 2 points of the Archers, forcing DLSU to call a timeout to regain themselves. Revilla made a quick basket in the next possession but JRU was relentless and scored from the rainbow territory, trimming the DLSU lead to 1. Bader Malabes answered with his own 3. From then on, both teams switched to a fast-paced play, with the Archers hanging on to their lead, bringing it up back to three. A split free throw from JRU brought them to within two, 63-65. With 40 seconds to go, Torres came up big as he made a very crucial block to prevent a 65-all score. A 3-point shot was attempted by JRU but the ball bounced off the rim, bringing the Archers nearer to the W. A foul was given up with 1.9 seconds to go, giving DLSU a point more off the charity line. No heartbreaking loss this time – final score is 66-63.

Quarter Scores : 17-17, 32-31, 52-46, 66-63

More Game Photos at

http://wackeekaren.multiply.com/photos/album/117/FMC_DSLU_vs_JRU

http://greenarchersph.multiply.com/photos