UPIS defeats LSGH; remains undefeated in BBI play

UPIS coach (with arms akimbo) sends out his players to defend LSGH's final play with one second left in the game clock.

UPIS defeats LSGH; remains undefeated in BBI play

by rick olivares

Polo Labao drove through the heart of the La Salle Greenies defense and released a scoop shot over outstretched arms. The ball kissed off the window and settled in the net to give the University of the Philippines Integrated School Junior Maroons a 61-60 lead with one second to play.

The come-from-behind win last Saturday, August 5 at the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center gave UPIS a 3-0 record in the Under-19 Division of the Breakdown Basketball Invitational at the Moro Lorenzo Sports Center. LSGH, the pre-tournament favorite, fell to 1-2.

The division showcases the talent that will move up either to the juniors Team A or graduate to the college ranks. In the case of the UP squad, this is their team that will compete in the UAAP Juniors tournament in the second semester of this school year. As for LSGH, this squad features some of the players who were the last cuts for their squad seeing action in the ongoing NCAA tourney.

LSGH managed to get a shot off that also hit the bottom of the basket but it came a second too late.

Labao stole the ball with 41.3 seconds left to bring UPIS within a point, 60-59.

LSGH’s point guard Ruzzelle De Luna and center Kristoffer Uy had chances to extend their lead but muffed both chances. Gregorio then scored the game-winning lay-up.

It was a crushing loss for Allen Ricardo’s Greenies that led by seven points, 60-53, with 1:14 left in the game clock. It was also the second consecutive week where they lost a match after leading for much of the game and in the final play!

Last week, Ricardo’s squad squandered a 17-point lead in the fourth period to lose to Paco Citizen Academy by a point.

Jaggie Gregorio hit four triples to lead UPIS with 16 points but it was center Joselle Tupaz who was named player of the game with 6 points, 12 rebounds, 2 steals, and 6 blocks including two in the final minute of play.

Said UPIS head coach (and former star) Paolo Mendoza, “Games like this will help build the character of the team. We looked down and out but you have to take it one possession and one stop at a time. It is important that you never stop playing until the final buzzer.”

La Salle’s Lennox Valenzuela who is supposedly the last cut in the Greenies NCAA squad, tallied 16 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block.

In other BBI matches, the San Beda Red Cubs squad (that will take the place of their current NCAA line-up after this season) crushed Kings Montessori School, 102-72, to likewise remain undefeated in the division. The Red Cubs’ Penny Estacio lead his team with 12 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 5 steals.

The Breakdown Basketball Invitational is one of biggest elementary and high school tournaments in Metro Manila with over 50 squads competing across several age group competitions.