SJI Falcons post 4th win in SBP nat’l tourney

Thursday, January 26, 2012

ST. JOHN’S Institute (SJI) routed Wednesday Holy Child of Davao, 114-88 to remain undefeated in four outings in the Samahang Basketball ng Pilipinas National Juniors Championship Under 16 played at the Eastern College Gym, Baguio City.

Kirell Branhdon Montalbo bucked a first quarter stomach injury to dish out another sterling performance, as he sizzled for 44 points to lead SJI to another victory by outscoring the Davao Champs in all quarters.

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Montalbo was accidentally elbowed in the stomach and was forced to sit for majority of the opening quarter. Even without Montalbo, SJI was able to hold a slim 21-19 lead. Leland Francis Dusaban, Thirdy Montinola Alec Rojas carried the load for the Falcons with 8 points, 6 points and 4 points, respectively.

SJI continued to build on its lead at the break at 53-41, as Montalbo recovered and delivered 16 points, including three treys, and Dusaban continued with his outstanding play and added 10 points with two treys.

Montalbo added 14 points during the remainder of the game, with support from the two treys of Montinola and the 4 points of Dusaban, as the Falcons extended the lead further to 80-62 at the end of the third canto.

At the start of the pay-off period, there was no letdown from the Falcons. SJI broke the game wide open, leading by as much as 30 points before settling down to a 26 point winning margin.

Montalbo delivered another double-digit quarter with 13 points, Dusaban contributed 6 and Jai Arroyo scored all of his 6 points in the quarter.

Dusaban finished with 28 points, Montinola scored 15 and Rojas netted 10 with his low post attacks. Carlo Sian shot 4 point while Juan Diego Montoya, Jose Juson and Edgar Ducay made 2 points each and Toper Co added a single point.

Off-guard Jose Kenneth Aguanta led Holy Child with 34 points.

SJI is still not assured of a semis slot, as it will play its last game in the elimination round tomorrow against La Union College of Nursing and Arts Sciences.

SJI will go all out for a win to avoid a triple-tie on the top two places, as La Union and University of Visayas are tied at 3-1.

UV will meet St. Clare College of Caloocan in its last eliminations game. Earlier, UV won over La Union by 13 points, while SJI defeated UV by 9 points in overtime. (Stephen Tan)