5th NAASCU Championship

The STI COLLEGE OLYMPIANS ended their storybook season with a loss to eventual 5-time NAASCU Champions University of Manila Hawks 81-74 at the jam-packed EAC Gym in Manila last Saturday. The Olympians fought toe to toe with the Hawks in the first quarter until the Hawks sought extra firepower from their MVP Ryan Regalado to lead 27-20. The Hawks pounded the Olympians in the next two quarters as they led by as many as 15 points at one point. In the fourth quarter, the Olympians regrouped and silenced the predominant UM crowd as they summoned their never-say-die attitude that brought the Olympians to the finals. STI cut the lead to three points with still four minutes to go and was still in the thick of the fight when Jojo Belano stole the ball from the Hawks point guard and was fouled in the process. The late foul call was questioned by Coach Vic Ycasiano and a surprising technical foul was charged on the Olympians’ head coach. That technical foul turned the game around as the momentum then shifted in favor of the Hawks.

 

“I am still happy because the boys fought hard!” That was what STI President Nick Jacob said after the game.

 

We sure have a lot to be happy about this season. Imagine coming from 2nd to the last in the previous season to emerging as 2nd Place this year is quite an achievement already. The turn-around of the Olympians came in such a short time that Olympian fever hit the STI HQ by storm, with almost everyone in awe of the spectacle. Coming from a win-loss card of 1-16 last year, our team improved to 13-7 this season earning us a trip to the finals. We can also take pride in the two Olympians that were named into the Mythical Five namely Dexter Micutuan and Ramon Mabayo. The two main men are credited for bringing the Olympians into championship form.