SOUTHERN Philippines College (SPC) Sharks advanced to the national finals of the Chooks-To-Go NBTC League after defeating the Infant Jesus School of Bukidnon (IJS-B) Wildcats 68-61, in the Northern Mindanao championship held Sunday night, February 17, at the Xavier University GYM in Cagayan de Oro City..
The Sharks coach Rey Dangcal said they needed the heroics of center Diether John Quijada and point guard Louise Malinab in the fourth quarter to turn back the gritty Wildcats.
Quijada, the 19-year-old son of businessman Johnson Rey Quijada and OFW Gina Valdehueza Quiajado, led the Sharks charge with a three-point play with more than five minutes remaining to put the Sharks up front 59-53.
He then combined with Malinab and Earl Laniton down the stretch to insure the Sharks trip to the Big City next month.
Dwyn Lloyd Dacutanan sank a three pointer with 1:29 minute remaining to cut the lead to only four points 65-61 to put the Wildcats within striking distance. But that was all that the Wildcats could muster as Laniton’s three-point play off from a drive and a free throw sealed the Sharks victory.
The Wildcats tried to stage a comeback in the dying minutes but the tight defense of the Sharks led by Jericho Montecalvo forced them to miss their last-ditch efforts.
"It was a test of character and my players responded well. The game was close and they showed that they are really tough," said coach Dangcal after the game.
The Sharks will fly to Manila next month and will try to replicate the championship performance of Assumption Montessori School (AMS) Jaguars last year at the MOA Arena in Pasig City.
Sharks main man Montecalvo topped the Sharks with 19 points most of them in the first half. He scored only one point in the final quarter but compensated it with rebounds and defensive stops that sank the hearts of the Wildcats.
The hero’s call belonged to Quijada who drilled in 13 points of his total of 18 points in the second half, with seven of them down the crucial stretch.
Tournament sponsor Freego Sports Marketing Consultant Edster Sy gave him the Player of the Game award. Basketball supporter Louis Lim also gave him a cash award and a shirt.
"I have known the players from Bukidnon already so I know how they play and I took advantage of it," said Quijada, who played for Paramount School of Arts Languages Management and Sciences (Psalms) in Valencia City, Bukidnon in 2018.
Psalms played against IJS-B in the Bukidnon finals but lost to SMS in the Northern Mindanao championship held in Iligan City last year.
The 6’2 Quijada will graduate this year from SPC and is hoping to be recruited by college teams from Manila or Cebu.
Dacutanan and Kent Salarda were the only players who scored in double figures for the Bukidnon boys with 14 and 13 points each, respectively.
SPC Cagayan de Oro (68) Montecalvo 19, Quijada 18, Lanitan 10, Caterbas 8, Malinab 4, Limbago 4, Boniao 3, Roa 2, Papiolek 0, Suello 0, Cabanez 0, Balay 0, Parista 0, Alvarado 0, Obelidon 0, Infant Jesus School Bukidnon (IJS-B) (61) Dacutanan D. 14, Salarda 13, Bulasa 8, Franche 7, Albarece 7, Palutao 6, Gentallan 2, Tan 2, Perez 2, Dacutanan R. 0, Proel 0, Baban 0, Pesante 0, Pechora 0, Quarter Scores: 22-20; 37-31; 52-55; 68-61. (l.biantan@gmil.com)