STI College - Santa Rosa Wins 10th STI Basketball Showdown
STI College – Santa Rosa almost made it to the final league three years ago as they vied to bag the championship title when DLS-STI led the pack and eked-out a hard-earned win over the season. The hunger to win the title fight inspired the Laguna dribblers to toil hard and improve their game performances to conclude the 10th STI Basketball Showdown with their team being hailed as this year's champions.
This season is a clean break for Team Santa Rosa as they exploded in the fourth quarter meltdown of STI College - Quezon Avenue, to note a resounding 76–72 victory.
After the awarding of trophies, Santa Rosa point guard Winston Balmaceda was voted as the league's Most Valuable Player (MVP). Balmaceda was appraised by the organizers for his consistency throughout the tournament.
The first quarter round was controlled by Team Quezon Avenue as Macky Macabasco accentuated a strong start with five points made up of a three-pointer and a lay up fresh from a steal. The fast-paced game of Team Quezon Avenue was up 12 -7. On the other hand, Santa Rosa veteran point guard Winston Balmaceda countered team Quezon Avenue with his nifty plays and scoring, edging closer at 11-12 with four minutes left in the first quarter.
Team Quezon Avenue unveiled two players who were missed out in game one - three-point specialist Rogie Trunio and veteran Socrates Bohol who scored five first quarter points enroute to a 10-point game. Team Quezon Avenue took the first quarter with a hard earned 21–15 lead.
Team Quezon Avenue continued its brilliance by opening the quarter with a 6–2 run which was predicated by Rogie Trunio's three-pointer and a steal for a fastbreak by Raymark Sarmiento. At this point, Team Quezon Avenue was already in command and was threatening to blow the game wide open with a 27–17 lead with six minutes left on the clock. Not to be outdone, Team Santa Rosa tightened their defense as Armando Ferrer and John Batisan scored to cut down the Quezon Avenue lead.
Winston Balmaceda upped his ante and connected on two booming three pointers to close the quarter and complete a paralyzing run at 14-2. Santa Rosa ended the half with 31-29.
Team Quezon Avenue scored only two points in the last five minutes of the first half and allowed Team Santa Rosa to get back. At the start of the third canto, Team Quezon Avenue started the quarter with an 11-7 run to get the upper hand at 40–38 and thus seizing momentum.
STI College-Santa Rosa was on a rut so they turned to Winston Balmaceda who sank back to back triples to give them back the lead 44–40 with six minutes left. Raymark Sarmiento then put matters into his own hands as he rattled off four consecutive points to tie the score at 44–all. Both teams would battle on equal footing with Team Santa Rosa getting the upper hand 55-51 at the end of the third quarter.
By the 4th quarter, it was now or never for Team Quezon Avenue as the man of the last minute, Raymark Sarmiento opened the quarter with a three-pointer to inch closer to Team Santa Rosa 54-55. Both teams then battled through its fifth tie with scores at 66–all with 2:23 to go in the fourth quarter.
William Vasallo put Team Quezon Avenue finally on top with 67-66 after sinking one of two free throws, Salamat on the other hand answered with a jumper to put Santa Rosa back with a one-point lead which was taken back by Team Quezon Avenue thanks to a drive by Macky Macabasco, putting Team Quezon Avenue regaining the lead at 69-68.
Team Santa Rosa then sued for time with 1:21 to go in the ballgame. The respite proved to be the turning point of the game as Team Santa Rosa closed the game with a fiery 8–3 wind up that saw Ferrer scoring an alley hoop. In the return play, William Vasallo missed on a jumper which Team Santa Rosa took advantage of by scoring with a powerful lay-up from John Batisan. After two more missed opportunities by Team Quezon Avenue, Armando Ferrer and Aries Santos both scored a lay-up which put Team Santa Rosa ahead with 76–69.
The hard work and determination definitely paid off for team Santa Rosa as their teamwork resulted in their best win ever – the STI 10th Basketball Showdown title. Team Quezon Avenue indeed also proved to be worthy adversaries of Team Santa Rosa. The struggle of the champions made this victory much more sweeter.
Congratulations to all teams who participated this year, and to our champions, STI College – Santa Rosa.
