Team OGs improved their chances of advancing to the playoffs of the APCRAA Basketball Tournament (ABT) 2017 season with a come-from-behind victory against Team Alpha, 78-70, on Saturday, August 5 at the APC Gymnasium.
Jon Batuhan of Team OGs broke the ABT all-time record for the most points scored in a game with an output of 37 points, 11 rebounds and 3 assists. The previous record of 36 points was also set by Batuhan last season. JP Redelick scored 19 points, with 16 in the second half alone, and dished 4 assists.
Two of the Alpha’s rookies topped the team’s scoring list: Mark Jerome Rivera with 16 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks; and Lorenz Ysulan with 13 points, 4 rebounds, 6 assists and 3 steals.
Team Alpha got control of the first minutes of the game with a 12-0 run then had a 14-point lead at the end of the first quarter. It was decreased to 11 before halftime, 37-28. By the third quarter, Team OGs started a 12-0 scoring run, headed by Redelick and Batuhan, to inch closer to Alpha’s score. The lead was decreased to 4 points at the end of the 3rd quarter, 58-54.
Team OGs continued their assault as they grabbed the lead for the first time at the 7-minute mark of the fourth quarter. Alpha tried to stop the OGs’ onslaught to regain the lead but Team OGs made another run to thrust themselves on top before the final two-minute warning.
Both teams will play their final elimination round games on August 12. Team OGs will try to secure the twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs as they face defending champions Team Bumblebees at 5:00pm. This will be followed by Team Alpha’s all-important game against Team Avengers, with the winner of the game further increasing their chances of advancing in the playoff round.
How they scored: (FIBA LiveStats)
OGs (89): Batuhan 37, Redelick 19, Paraiso 10, Go 6, Rivera 2, Nones 2, Aotay 2, Agito 0, Felix 0, Nones 0, Ortiz 0, Artymiak 0, Pitallar 0
Alpha (85): Rivera 16, Ysulan 13, De Luna 10, Tagle 8, Montojo M 6, Dosado 5, Castanares 5, Perez 4, Dionisio 3, Montojo 0, Esguerra 0, Morante 0
Period scores: 9-23, 28-37, 54-58, 78-70