JMC stuns UM to seize title

Sunday, February 5, 2012

JOSE Maria College (JMC) toppled heavily favored University of Mindanao (UM), 58-52, to capture the Davao City Private Schools Athletic Association (DC-Prisaa) basketball title at the UM Matina Campus Gym yesterday.

It was a tight contest as neither teams had significant edge over the other. Both JMC and UM focused on defense as they played 14-all at the end of the first quarter.

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JMC, however, had a slight edge in the second quarter as it launched a 5-0 run to end the quarter at 29-24. But UM fought back after finding their scoring rhythm to outscore JMC by 10 points and finish the third quarter at 46-41.

JMC and UM continued to apply pressure defense against each other as both teams struggled to score. But JMC's defense got the upper hand as it forced UM to turn the ball over countless times in the fourth paving the way for a 5-0 run for JMC to tie the game at 50 all.

Late in the fourth, Joshua Adalid connected on a three-pointer with 1:36 left in the game. But Miguel Plata kept it close for UM after driving strong to the basket and made a two-point basket to bring down the lead to 1, 53-52, with 48 seconds remaining.

However, Francis Cutin of JMC immediately scored a basket on the other end to bring the lead back to three, 55-52, with 40 seconds left. JMC's full court press prevailed as they forced a UM turnover. UM, then fouled Cutin to send him to the free throw line. Cutin connected on both of his free throws giving JMC a five-point advantage with 10 seconds remaining in the clock.

UM still tried to fight back however, they turned the ball over yet again and foulded Cutin who sealed the deal for JMC after connecting 1 out of 2 free throws to give JMC a comfortable 6-point lead, 58-52.

"This title is really special since this is our first title in Prisaa coming up short in the past four years," JMC coach Flordelito "Dodong" Cagampang said. "We used a full court press to bombard their point guards. When their guards managed to cross the back court, we then setup a 2-3 zone defense to stop them from scoring in the paint."

UM head coach Rhoderick Condo said: "I would like to congratulate JMC for their victory. They really showed good defense which forced us to turn the ball over. We will be working more on our passing and defense so that we could get back to our championship form."

JMC will be representing the city in the upcoming Davao Regional Prisaa Meet slated on February 24 to 16. JMC will be joined by at least three players from other schools who have performed well in the Prisaa event.