PCGS beats San Isidro, Cebu Cherish, to earn playoff ticket at 16-under

BANILAD TOWN CENTRE, Cebu City (20 Aug. 2011, 1800H / UPDATED: 22 Aug. 2011, 1600H) — Philippine Christian Gospel School (PCGS) earned a ticket to the playoff next week after devastating its last two assignments at 16-under in the elimination round of the 3rd BTC cup here today.

The PCGS Team B first overpowered the Cebu Cherish School (CCS)-B, 12-7, then knocked out the running Division D leader, San Isidro Parish School (SIPS)-B, 7-3, in this inter-school 3-on-3 basketball tournament that Thirsty, Dimsum Break and Nike made possible for three years now.

Meanwhile, PCGS coach Jason Velez called the attention of the organizers for news reports that his team bowed to CCS-B. A review on Aug. 22 noted an error in the official score sheet for which Edwin de Jacto, head of the Cebu Basketball Referees Association (CeBRA), promptly apologized. This report has been updated accordingly.

Tejam carried the banner for the Blue Lions shooting nine hits, four against the Red Fox and five against the Tamaraws, with Du pumping out five marks in the near-massacre of CCS-B.

The boys of coach Jason Velez zeroed in their defense on the reigning 16-under MVP Ogilvie Lorence de la Fuente, who had nonetheless still mustered three goals and a desperate 2-pointer from beyond the arc, as they further silenced the main gunners of coach Virgilio Godinez who managed only a score each.

As PAREF Springdale School’s Team B earned a win by default against Sacred Heart School (SHS) Ateneo de Cebu – Team A, the Titans forged a triple tie with PCGS-B and SIPS-B with a 4-1 win-loss card in Division D.

Breaking the triangle by their quotient, PCGS-B prevailed over the two other teams for earning the highest quotient at 1.154 compared to 0.900 by the Tamaraws and the Titans’ 0.929.

The quotient in a triple tie is computed by adding the sum of scores a team made against the two opponents in their triangle, then divided by the total scores the two opponents made against the same team, explained De Jacto.

Coin-tossed win

Meanwhile, Center for International Education (CIE)-B inched closer today for a probable ticket to the playoff next week after defeating PCGS-A, 7-4, in this series Robinson’s Supermarket and Nature Spring have supported for two years now.

The same is true in the same Division C bracket with St. Alphonsus Catholic School (SACS)-A and University of Southern Philippines (USP)-B and three other teams in Division A — SACS-B, St. Louis College Cebu (SLCC) Alpha, and University of the Visayas (UV).

SACS-A completed the elimination round with a comfortable 4-1 win-loss card at Division C after player Igot lifted the Alphonsians with a goal over USP-B during the special shootout today for unplayed Aug. 14 scheduled games that heavy torrential rains interrupted.

This developed as Niño Akeem Amistad lifted the CIE Lions in their life-breathing win against the PCGS Blue Lions, scoring five points, including a mark from beyond the arc in the last seconds that pushed their foes away from overtaking them in the game.

Luck must be on the side of the same CIE Lions team of coach Arnold Sy when it earned a win against Formation School & Kiddies Learning Center (FS-KLC) by the flip of a coin after three rounds during their shootout.

Amistad first scored in the first round for CIE-B but Estoquia responded with his own goal for FS-KLC. With no score made in the next two rounds, referee Al Reley tossed a coin that favored CIE-B to gain a 3-1 card after the win earlier against PCGS-A.

The USP Junior Pathers crushed the same PCGS-A team, 10-5, with Rebano carrying out the campaign for the playoff with seven points for the team to also gain a 3-1 record, a needed boost when they encounter FS-KLC tomorrow while hoping for CIE-B to win its last game to forge a 4-1 triple tie with SACS-B.

If CIE-B loses, USP-B will not make it in a tie with SACS-B having lost in the shootout. But the boys of coach Remedio will grab the playoff slot as they forged a 1.50 quotient against SACS-B with 0.90 and 0.85 for CIE-B.

Do-or-die

The UV Lancers easily moved a notch closer to a playoff slot by default after USP-A failed to show up for their match, forging a do-or-die match today against Team B of the Alphonsians mentored by coach Roel Caballes who must be applying Physics principles in his boys’ plays as he teaches them the subject inside the classroom.

The players of coach Jay Mar Canoy forged a 4-1 record in Division A after a 1-2 loss in their shootout with Springdale-A, as SACS-B similarly emerged with a 4-1 card after prevailing in a shootout with Benedicto College (BC) courtesy of a goal Paul John Casquejo made.

UV and SACS-B will break the standings with a do-or-die match at 11:00AM tomorrow.Should the Lancers prevail over the Alphonsians, they will automatically enter the playoff of the league supported by InterMed Marketing Philippines, makers of Cherifer PGM 10-22 “Tangkad Sagad” Growth Vitamins.

However, if SACS-B wins over UV, the pride of Lapulapu City will grab the playoff ticket only if the SLCC Alpha Cardinals lose to USP-A today.

A win by the Alpha Cardinals if SACS-B defeats UV will carry the boys of coach Noel Saducas to the playoffs having defeated SACS-B on Aug. 6.

Early playoff qualifier SIPS-A under Division B and PCGS-B in Division D will await the winners tomorrow from Divisions A and C to know who to deal on Aug. 27 and plot their quest for the Aug. 28 championship games.

The BTC Cup continued to its third year with the collaboration of Holy Kettle Corn, Tutoring Club, and Optical Adult & Child, Cebu’s leading trader of sunglasses by Oakley, Tag Heuer, Lacoste, Levi’s, Giordano and Silhouette.

SACS secures advantage, as CIC, SIPS keep hopes alive at 14-under

BANILAD TOWN CENTRE, Cebu City (20 Aug. 2011, 1400H) – St. Alphonsus Catholic School (SACS) sealed today its top-seed position in Division A to earn the advantage in the crossover twice-to-beat playoff series next week at 14-under in the 3rd BTC Cup.

This development came Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion (CIC) also kept the top-seed position in Division B by overwhelming the boys of coach Arnold Sy in CIE-B, 7-3, in the series presented by Thirsty, Dimsum Break and Nike Athletic Club.

Big man Grijaldo proved to be the pivotal key for SACS bursting with three points by panzer-like thrusts from undergoal to overcome what came to be a strong challenge from Benedicto College, 7-4.

As the win secured for SACS their lead, San Isidro Parish School (SIPS)-B grabbed the No. 2 slot in Division A to earn the right to challenge the eventual top-seed in Division B after the Tamaraws edged Center for International Education (CIE)-A, 4-3.

Coach Virgilio Godinez anchored again the Tamaraw’s play on Tanjay who also used panzer-like moves to bang in three points in the game made possible by Robinson’s Supermarket and Cherifer Growth Vitamins.

Triple-tie

In Division B, coach Frankie Lastimoso revolved his players moves around spitfire Paul Christian Go who produced five points giving the team a 5-0 advantage in the team standings for the playoff.

This developed as the Tamaraws’ Team A swept hairline wins first against University of Southern Philippines (USP), 12-11, then against St. Paul Learning Center (SPLC), 9-8, to finish the emilinations with a comfortable 5-1 card, placing second and overtaking Philippine Christian Gospel School (PCGS)-B with a 4-1 record.

Now, CIC will need to conquer PCGS-B of coach Jason Velez by mid-morning tomorrow to gain the twice-to-beat advantage in the tournament backed by Cherifer PGM 10-22 “Tangkad Sagad” Growth Vitamins.

Yet the PCGS Blue Lions will also have to win the game overwhelmingly if it wants a crack for the championship, or kiss their hopes even just for the playoff goodbye.

A PCGS-B win will also mean a triple tie at 5-1 with CIC and SIPS-A. The eventual standings will be determined by a quotient system.

While playing now at 14-under, Joseph Riner Ramas proved his worth as last year’s 12-under MVP leading his team in today’s crucial battles producing 8 total points, while helping his SIPS-A teammates back him up in scoring especially with the strong challenge their two assignments gave them today.

Bontilao helped bringing the SIPS Tamaraws to victory against the USP Junior Panthers scoring 6 points, while it was the turn of Trasmonte who contributed five points in their battle against the SPLC Paladin Knights.

Ferrer and Perez pumped out five and four points but not enough to bring themselves to the playoff after losing two games on default for arriving here late in two previous games.

Kenji Exaltacion also did all the jousting for the SPLC Paladins as the knights failed to defend the historical Charlemaigne court.

Most exciting

Incidentally, the most exciting game at 14-under today came from a non-bearing game between the USP and PAREF Springdale School-A that had gone overtime after they ended the game with a 9-all score.

The game remained as a see-saw encounter in the first half of the 3-minute extension until Springdale-A that came without its fourth player lost Lyle Tan, a key player on defense, that made the Titans scoreless after the 12-point mark with the Junior Panthers zooming to 17 points.

The towering Perez fired goals like a machine gun firing six points during the extra period with two from playmaker Alquitela who earlier produced 4 points during regulation, including a shot from beyond the arc.

Johann Go, younger brother of last year’s 14-under MVP Zach Elisha and former 16-under pointmaker Giacobbe, also hit three missiles from beyond the arc, twice in regulation for an 8-point production and once during the extended period.

Meanwhile, Sotero B. Cabahug (SBC) Forum bowed twice in non-bearing games today, first by a hairline against Benedicto College, 6-7, then by trouncing against PCGS-A, 5-10.

SBC Forum survives v. SWU, as UV sweeps wins in BTC Cup at 12-under

BANILAD TOWN CENTRE, Cebu City (20 Aug. 2011, 1200H) — Sotero B. Cabahug (SBC) Forum for Literacy overpowered Southwestern University (SWU), 8-5, in a critical in a do-or-die match this morning to secure a ticket for the 3-cornered playoff at 12-under next week in the 3rd BTC Cup.

The same is true with the University of the Visayas (UV) as the 12-under team of coach Jay Mar Canoy swept its last two games here in the tournament presented by Thirsty and Dimsum Break.

Ram Denzylle Pepito and Daniel Selpa took turns scoring 4 points each in carrying SBC Forum-B team to victory marking a 4-0 win-loss card at Division A of the age category and dropping SWU to 3-1.

The Forums also zeroed in their defense to the young Cobras’ main gunners Sansan and Martin, limiting to just two points each both BTC Cup veterans who had been in action in this league in the last two years.

Even if the Forums of coach Ain Latonio would lose tomorrow their last game against St. Paul Learning Center (SPLC), a win in another match by either SWU or PAREF Springdale School-B that also holds a 3-1 record would not matter having also defeated Springdale om Aug. 13.

Rapid fire

Meanwhile, Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion (CIC) needed the boost in standing at 4-0 at Division B by way of a default win against Springdale-C when the team battles with St. John of Kenty School early Sunday in this series backed by Nike, Robinson’s Supermarket and Cherifer Growth Vitamins.

Should the players of former Consolacion Mayor Camilo Go win against CIC, the Kenty boys will just have to defeat Springdale-C to grab from CIC the rights to get into the playoffs as they would finish with a similar 4-1 record.

In Division C, Lyder Kent Canieso produced 5 points in bringing the UV 12-under squad to victory against SBC Forum-C, 12-3, and pumped out 8 rapid fires in trouncing San Isidro Parish School (SIPS), 9-2.

The BTC Cup continued  to its third year with sponsorship of Nature Spring, Holy Kettle Corn, the Tutoring Club, and Optical Adult & Child, distributor of sunglasses made by Lacoste, Oakley, Tag Heuer, Giordano, Levi’s and Silhouette.

Related links:

08.21.2011 ♠ The Freeman: SBC Forum survives SWU, UV sweeps games in 3rd BTC Cup

SPLC Paladins sweep wins at 10-under

BANILAD TOWN CENTRE, Cebu City (20 Aug. 2011, 1000H) — St. Paul Learning Center (SPLC)-A secured its position as the No. 1 seeded team at 10-under in the 3rd BTC Cup by sweeping two wins here this morning.

The Paladin Knights of the medieval Charlemaigne Court first overpowered Sacred Heart School (SHS) Ateneo de Cebu-A, 7-5, then edged PAREF Springdale School, 4-3, in this 3-on-3 series backed by Thirsty? Juices & Shakes.

Joshua Balangkig reigned supreme in another jousting spree charging all the seven hits when the sons of St. Paul trounced the sons of St. Ignatius Loyola; as he backed up wingman Ray Ybanez who led in drowning the Springdale Titans.

Meanwhile, their brothers in SPLC-B and the 10-under SIPS Tamaraws also secured their ticket to the playoffs with team-in-waiting SHS-Ateneo-B by winning separate games of the tournament that Dimsum Break has supported sinve 2009.

Abella and Sollano struck with four goals each as the SPLC-B Paladins of coach Norwin Honoridez crushed Philippine Christian Gospel School (PCGS), 9-2, and threw away the opportunity for the young Blue Lions to get into the playoff.

In the other game, skipper Sean Victor Vargas carried the Isidorian Tamaraws of coach Virgilio Godinez to victory against Springdale, 8-4, with four points as wingman Andrew Justine Man pinched in with three points.

It will be a crucial game tomorrow between SPLC-B and SIPS to determine their eventual standings in the playoff of the games Nike helped to be realized.

A win by SPLC-B will place the team at the No. 2 slot with SHS-Ateneo at 3rd and SIPS at 4th. Otherwise, the standings will be determined by quotient if the three end the elimination with identical 4-2 record.

Robinson’s Supermarket, Nature Spring and Cherifer PGM 10-22 “Tangkad Sagad” Growth Vitamins has been supporting the BTC Cup for two years now. This year, Holy Kettle Corn, Optical Adult & Child, and recently Tutoring Club have joined the 3-on-3 bandwagon.

Lancers, Tamaraws go all out for playoff slots

BANILAD TOWN CENTRE, Cebu City (20 August 2011, 0123H) — University of the Visayas (UV) and San Isidro Parish School (SIPS) will return to the battlefield here today for an all-out war to secure their spot at 16-under in the playoffs of the 3rd BTC Cup.

Still undefeated in what is now Cebu’s premier inter-school 3-on-3 basketball tournament, the UV Lancers and SIPS Tamaraws-A enjoy the psychological advantage in facing final opponents this weekend.

With the cliche that the ball is round, anything can still happen as the series made possible by Thirsty and Dimsum Break concludes with the elimination round towards Sunday, Aug. 21.

Thus, with 3-1 win-loss cards, St. Alphonsus Catholic School (SACS) A and B will be out pouring all its arsenals with the finals as their ultimate goal.

The same would be true for six other schools with teams holding 2-1 win-loss cards, like Cebu Cherish School (CCS) and Formation School & Kiddies Learning Center (FS-KLC).

The other four are those from PAREF Springdale School, Philippine Christian Gospel School (PCGS), St. Louis College – Cebu (SLCC) and the University of Southern Philippines (USP).

The rest of the 16-under teams may play as spoilers for the contenders but they still have something to prove to themselves and their schools until the games are over.

Only the top-seeds in the four 16-under divisions will be able to enter the round-robin playoff of the tournament made possible by the support of Nike Athletic Club, Robinson’s Supermarket and Cherifer Growth Vitamins .

Crucial games

In the 14-under category, games will be crucial today for Colegio de la Inmaculada Concepcion (CIC) and SIPS-A Tamaraws in Division B to get into the twice-to-beat crossover playoff.

Holding a 4-0 card, CIC will need a win against Centre for International Education (CIE)-B to gain the needed boost to keep its top rank when it faces tomorrow the PCGS-B Blue Lions that holds a 4-1 record.

As the Tamaraws got a 3-1 mark so far, they will need to first conquer USP and St. Paul Learning Center (SPLC) today and pray to St. Isidore that PCGS-B would bow to CIC tomorrow.

If PCGS-B loses the game, a single win for SIPS-A today will be enough for the players of coach Virgilio Godinez to secure the playoff berth even when both will have held a 4-2 win-loss cards as the Tamaraws defeated the Blue Lions last Aug. 7.

If PCGS-B defeats CIC, it will grab the twice-to-beat advantage even if CIC makes it against CIE-B but only if the Tamaraws will only win one game today. A sweep by the Tamaraws and a win by the Blue Lions tomorrow would mean a triple tie that will only be broken by quotient scoring.

Should CIC bow to both PCGS-B and CIE-B today, the boys of coach Frankie Lastimoso will just have to pray SIPS-A will lose just one of two games to stay alive in the league. Otherwise, SIPS-A will earn the twice-to-beat advantage and CIC will find themselves eliminated.

Secured

Meanwhile, the SACS team from Lapulapu City that holds a clean 5-0 record in Division A of 14-under is secured with the twice-to-beat advantage even if the boys of of coach Roel Caballes will lose to Benedicto College (BC) today.

But the Tamaraws Team B will need to win against the CIE-A Blue Lions to ensure its challenger’s berth, a situation the latter’s coach Arnold Sy would want to spoil by guiding his boys for a win.

A loss might jeopardize SIPS-B’s chance if the 14-under BC squad of coach Billy Estremos will defeat SACS and its two other remaining assignments.

The 3rd BTC Cup is made possible with the support of Nature Spring, Holy Kettle Corn, and Optical Adult & Child, distributor of sunglasses made by Lacoste, Oakley, Tag Heuer, Giordano, Levi’s and Silhouette.