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Bacolod City, PhilippinesTuesday, January 24, 2012
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Back-to-back win for SJI cagers
in U16 Nat’l Juniors tournament

Againstthe taller and heftier bulk of their rivals, St. John’s Institute managed to pull off a 99-91 victory over University of Visayas (Cebu), then went on to blow away St. Agnes Academy ofAlbay, Bicol 95-45, to register a back-to-back win at the Pilipinas National Juniors Championship Under 16 basketball tournament at University of Baguio Gym in Baguio City.

Kirrel Brahndon Montalbo scored 40 points against UV, 13 of them in the fourth quarter as the SJI Falcons clawed back from a 15-point fourth quarter deficit and erased an 11-point UV lead in the final four minutes to force an onvertime after regulation ended at 84-all.

Backing him up was Jai Arroyo, who finished with 28 points, 9 of them in the fourth quarter, despite the towering threat from UV whose four players were at least standing at least 6 feet 3.

It was a defensive team effort and crucial steals that fueled the SJI comeback in the final minutes with Montalbo and Arroyo leading the way.

The duo continued to pour in the points in the extra time with Montalbo registering 10 points and Arroyo with four points to turn back UV’s Baby Lancers.

UV had a slim 16-15 opening quarter lead before taking the half at 38-34. A strong third quarter from the UV’s side allowed the Baby Lancers to extend the lead at 61-55 going to the payoff quarter.

With coach Dexter Dy and assistant coach Ritchie Militante calling the shots from the bench, the Baby Falcons exploded in the fourth quarter and completed the victory in the overtime.

Contributing to the win against UV were Carlo Sian with 11 poijnts, LeLand Dusaban 9, Thirdy Montinola 7, Miguel Jison 2, Edgar Ducay and Toper Co with a point each.

The Baby Lancers were led by CESAFI MVP Andres Paul Desiderio with 36 points, while Santillan added 14 points.

        Getting past UV strengthened SJI’s bid in the tournament as they easily thrashed St. Agnes Academy of Albay, Bicol in their second assignment the next day.

        Montalbo, once again, led the Baby Falcons with 20 points, while Eldrick Go added 18, Juan Diego Montoya shot 12, Toper Co made 9 points, Miguel Jison delivered 7, Sian had 6 , Montinola contributed 5, Alec Rojas , Arroyo and Jose Juson with 4 points each,

and Dusaban picked up 3 points.

The teams playing in the tournament are divided into two bracket with the top two teams in each bracking advancing to the knockout semifinals.

Remaining elimination games of SJI will be against St. Clare College NCR today and against Holy Child of Davao tomorrow.

They will wrap up their eliminations assignments against La Union College Nursing and Arts and Sciences on Thursday.*NAB

 

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