City High takes game 1 of NBTC finals

Thursday, February 2, 2012

BAGUIO City National High school played steadier down the stretch to take game one in their best of three series against the University of the Cordilleras for the NBTC D-League Elite.

City High scored the last nine baskets for a 65-58 win at the UC gymnasium Wednesday afternoon in the tournament backed by FRB Foundation and Sea-Oil.

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Jan delos Santos brought again his ‘A’ game with 23 points to lead all scorers but it was Ashley Nelson who played the hero’s role as he scored seven out of the nine points by City High in the last 1:07 minute of the ball game.

Nelson finished with ten points in the ball game.

“The boys played well and they were able to hold their own kasi they were so composed in the last minute that I didn’t have to call my last two time outs,” said City High coach Joey Agaser.

After finishing the first three quarters in a close encounter, City High opened the fourth quarter with a two-point edge, 44-42, before the junior Jaguars made it at 44 all at the 9th minute mark of the payoff canto.

It was a seesaw battle from then on with City High having a one-point lead, 56-55, with 2:46 remaining before Mac Zapanta of UC scored a triple to take the driver’s seat at 58-56 with 2:08 remaining.

Nelson then tied the score at 58 off a pass from Delos Santos with 1:07 remaining.

UC failed to convert in their next three possessions while City High converted in their succeeding possession including a free throw coming from Nelson and two from Jonas Gesmundo to finish the ball game with eight points.

Karl Soriano led UC with 23 points, while Renze Rasheed Cosme finished with 15 as Zapanta added 10.