Jaguars devour Warriors, 51-43
By Jonathan Rod Sitchon De Guzman

TENSION WAS HIGH, sweat were dripping, and tears were in the air.

Showcasing aggressive plays and hustles, the Senior Blue Jaguars Basketball Team crushed the Junior Orange Warriors Basketball Team, 51-43, during the Makati Science High School Basketball Championships at the school grounds, Sept. 28.

An impressive display of defensive prowess and the breathtaking exchange of steals, blocks, and turnovers kept the audience at the edge of their seats as the first canto ended with neither of the teams having a single score.

Misaki Alexis Tadeo Corpuz, Jaguars’ key player, initiated smart passes, notable assists, and lightning-quick drives in the early first quarter penetrating the barricade-like defenses of the Warriors and giving the Jaguars a remarkable advantage in the second quarter.

“I was feeling pretty confident that we would easily come through,” Corpuz said, “and I took the Juniors’ jeers lightly because I cannot let them affect my play.”

In the third quarter, the Jaguars maintained the lead as the tandem of swingman Corpuz and hustler Reginald Carl Rivera Reyes started to score more points and extended the lead to 11.

The three-pointer of Corpuz stole the lead from the Warriors but John Michael Macaluloy Padullon answered back with three points of his own. Corpuz proved to be better as he connected with another three points and Padullon having none.

Vicson Aypa Mabanglo, Warriors’ star player, scored 15 points, including six in the fourth quarter. Mabanglo’s lay-ups were ones of the decisive moves of the Warriors.

Dubbed “snatcher,” Mario Cirillo Espiritu De Mesa, stopping the momentum of the Jaguars and slowing down the pace for the benefit of the Warriors, made excellent steals in the whole game.

Due to the carelessness of the Warriors, the Jaguars pounced on their reckless opponents as most of their possessions were useless, making many turnovers in the tight half court press of the Jaguars.

As Reyes was eagerly rushing to catch-up and to block the shots of the Warriors, he came crashing and rolling on the floor, however, refusing to be benched, he kept on playing until the end of the match.

The combined effort of Corpuz and Reyes tallied 35 points with the first scoring 19, and the latter scoring 6 in the last quarter.

Reyes, Corpuz, Mabanglo, Mark Lawrence Cedaña Samonte, and Mark Vincent Sarmiento Valmadrid of the Sophomore Yellow Dragons Basketball Team were named the Mythical Five, while Corpuz grabbed the most valuable player award.