Almost impossible but, Nicos Cuenca did it with 1.2 seconds remaining in the ballgame as Batch 2008/Shakey’s spoiled Batch 92/96/2005/Pooch Spa JMCA attempt to notch its second win in the 4th University of St. La Salle Alumni Association/LNA7 Sports Foundation Basketball Tournament at the West Negros University Gym, Friday night.

Down by a point with 11.3 seconds left, Cuenca zigzagged past the back court defense and brought the ball towards the right side of the court then pulled a jumper against three Pooch Spa JMCA defenders for a 77-76 lead.

Before Nico’s last shot, another Paolo Cuenca has almost sealed the match for Pooch Spa JMCA with 18.3 seconds left, after nailing an underneath basket off a ball scramble to post a 76-75 advantage.

Entering the final period, Pooch Spa JMCA was ahead by four points, 58-54. But Shakey’s Rosue Banzuela scored five straight points, including a triple in the opening of the fourth quarter, to take lead at 59-58.

Pooch Spa JMCA was scoreless for more than two minutes.

Glen Trabasas then tried to take back the lead for Pooch Spa JMCA after he was fouled and sent to the line but missed both free throws. RB Banzuela got the rebound but a pass to Trabasas was anticipated by Rosue Banzuela, who sprinted forward for a quick lay-up to extend the lead to 61-58.

After almost four minutes of silence, Paolo Cuenca sunk a 3-pointer with 8:13 mark to tie the ball game at 61-all.

Then, an aggressive power play underneath the board by Trabasas netted a foul and sent him back to the free throw line. Though he split his charities, it was good enough to take back the lead at 62-61.

Eugene Jalandoni then nailed an easy lay-up for a 63-62 lead for Shakey’s, but RB Banzuela’s shot off the glass gave the one point lead backto Pooch Spa as JC Sobrevega nailed two quick baskets to extend the advantage at 68-63.

However, Nicos Cuenca delivered five straight points, including a triple, to tie the ballgame anew at 68-all.

With 3:45 minutes left, Sobrevega earned his 20th point in the game with another trademark looper shot to give Pooch Spa JMCA the lead anew at 70-68.

But Rosue Banzuela hit a short jumper to equalize at 70-all as the game entered its final 3-minute mark.

Ryan Seares had the opportunity to put up a two-point lead after he was fouled and sent to the line for two free throws, but he missed his first.

Nicos Cuenca suffered the same fate when he split his charities and tied the ballgame at 71-all with 1:39 minutes left in the match.

Patrick Blance got the break to extend Shakey’s lead by four points with 1:25 minutes left, but RB Banzuela once again powered his way inside and got the roll plus a foul. He completed the free throw and cut the lead to a point, 75-74 with 36.2 seconds left.

Pooch Spa JMCA led at the halftime, 42-32.

Rosue Banzuela led Shakey’s with 20 points as Nicos Cuenca finished with 16, Jalandoni with 9, Mitchel Sindol with 8, Jansen Aspero with 5, Blance with 4 while Patrick Ramos, Carlo Sumugat, Nico Solatorio, Hayumpa and Kebin Jison wth 2 points each, and Julius Asistio with a point.

Meanwhile, Sobrevega topscored Pooch Spa JMCA with 20 points in a losing effort as Trabasas delivered 15 points, Seares with 10, Paolo Cuenca with 9, RB Banzula with 8, Gerald Baldonado and Jun Sicangco with 5 points each, and Paul Deesquitado and Walter Villanueva with 2 points each.

In the second game, Batch 2003/2004/Marta easily dispatched Batch 2001/1994/1995/Strollers, 86-73.

The powerhouse Martha squad posted an early 10-point lead at the end of the first quarter, 24-14.

Stephen Escalante and Mark Celestial led Martha’s offense with 12 and 8 points, respectively.

In the second period, the lead was extended to 20 points after Hans Shulz and Luigi Herrera nailed 9 and 7 points each.

Halftime score, 46-26.

It was only in the third quarter when Martha became complacent on offense as Strollers continued to put-in their scores to cut the deficit into 10 points at the end of the period, 67-57.

But the Martha’s lineup was too much for the Strollers to match up as the former ruled all positions inside the court.

Celestial topped Martha with 15 points as Escalante finished with 12, Shulz with 11, Chester Isulat and Gino Melocoton with 9 points each, Edward Castillano with 8, Herrera with 7, James Ferrer with 6 while Leandro Francisco and Nico Ganir contributed 2 points apiece, and Yusay with a point.

On the other hand, SG Villeran anchored Strollers with 24 points while Paul Javelosa and Leon Bautista delivered 16 points apiece, Ceasar Noble with 8, Gian Carlo Alojado with 6 and Francis Locsin with 3 points.

Games resume April 9 in observance of the Holy Week.*with a report from WNU Sports Office

back to top

Cuenca steers Shakey’s past Pooch Spa
Puentevella joins FIFA marketing, TV committee