Titans escapes Mustang rally, tallies first win

Team Titans survived a fourth quarter rally by Team Mustangs, 91-88, at the continuation of the APCRAA Basketball Tournament (ABT) Seaosn 5 men’s division elimination round on Saturday, August 17 at the Asia Pacific College Gymnasium.

The win will secure a quarterfinals seat for the Titans, while the Mustangs ended their debut season with a 0-4 win-loss record.

Jaime Juadines led the Titans with 27 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists. Rookie Ismael Ebarda had the best game of his ABT career so far with 18 points, 8 rebounds and 3 steals.

Mustangs’ Christian Tragico became the top scorer of the game with 38 points, with 7 rebounds and 4 assists. Carl Lavarro shot 4 out 11 in the three point arc and scored 26 points.

Titans had a headstart from tipoff as they scored 16 unanswered points. They got a comfortable 26-point margin, 51-27 in the third quarter. A 13-6 Mustangs rally led by Tragico and Lavarro at the start of the fourth period chopped the Titans lead further to only 3 points, then Mustang tied the game at 75-all with only 5 minutes remaining in the game. While they were able to get a four point lead with 4 minutes remaining, the Titans responeded to keep it a one-possession game. Titans made crucial baskets and free throws in the final two minutes to secure their first victory.

THE SCORES:

MUSTANGS (88): Tragico 38, Lavarro 26, Apostol 14, Juarez 6, Caranto 2, Verano 2, Gloria 0, Sigue 0, Lopez 0

TITANS (91): Juadines 27, Ebarda 18, Fallar 14, Lopez 10, Corsino 8, Aldon 6, Bunagan 4, Sablan 2, Dubduban 2, Rodriguez 0

QUARTERSCORES: 7-22, 27-47, 55-65, 88-91

FIBA LiveStats: https://www.fibalivestats.com/u/APC/1291853