Raging Stallions frustrate gritty Laguna Province

secure top spot in Group C

STA. CRUZ, Laguna - Lipa City Stallions leaned on the solid performance of its two flashy guard,
crushing the regional competition host, Laguna province, 82-62 in the final day of the preliminary
round and secure the top spot in Group C of Men’s Secondary Basketball at Laguna Sports Complex,
February 15.
Stephen Rieley Javier led Stallions’ five players in double figures with his 17 markers and 3 steals,
while Raphael Dimayuga chipped in 16 points and dished out 7 assists in a game that was so vital
because it will hugely affect the team’s fate comes next day’s knock out phase.
“It is really our goal to win this game to avoid a possible collision with the depending champion,
Rizal province in the quarterfinals tomorrow”, said Dimayuga who made 11 of his 16 points in the final
canto highlighted with his three triples.
“Our defense worked very well and our offense was just good enough, I like the sense of urgency
of our guys. Alam kasi nila na napaka-crucial ng game na to”, added coach Arnel Manalo, whose ward
may possibly face the equally competitive Calamba City which beat Bińan City in the earlier match.
Ian Abila had a double double of 12 points and 11 rebounds while Paul Kenneth Larosa and Bjorn
Abueg contributed 11 and 10 points respectively for the Stallions balance scoring.
Meanwhile, Grant Timog had a monster game with 23 points and Renz Anthony De La Cruz had
13 markers but they were the only two players in double digits as most of their teammates were got
bothered of the pesky defense by the Stallions.
“Mabibilis sila, matindi ang hassle tapos may mga tira pa sa labas, nahirapan ng husto ang mga
bata lalo na sa kanilang pressure defense”, coach Raplh Ivan Elayda of Laguna province in an interview
with the Stallion Express.
“Grabe yung trapping defense nila, tapos very patient pa sila sa offense nila, iyon ang wala sa
team namin”, added Timog the lone bright spot alongside De La Cruz in Laguna squad.
The Stallions made 11 out of 19 triple attempts, while Laguna only managed to sink in 4 of their
21 attempts beyond the arc. The latter also have more turnovers with 23 compare with the Stallions
only 11.
Knock out quarterfinals match will start tomorrow where every game is very crucial, since a lone
loss will end any team’s campaign in the annual regional sports competition.

ARIEL L. ABEL
BOLBOK NHS