The title holder of last season’s Inter-government/Business caging league, Autonomous did not give in to NMC’s pressure on the hard court, but instead impressed upon the educators the need to learn history.
And history says that Autonomous is the defending champion in the league. It’s that simple.
So, Autonomous taught NMC a lesson they will never forget – at least for the time being.
Autonomous blasted NMC, 81-62, sending the Fina Sisu-based cagers back to the four corners of their classroom.
On hindsight, the two rivals carry an identical win-lose cards – 2-1. So, their recent match was practically a sudden death as the league calls for a double elimination.
Now with the play:
Ed Diaz of Autonomous was on his top form that whenever he got to seize the ball, he would quickly go down the basket to make a connection.
And connection he did, and did it several times by crafting 27 points in the entire game.
It was not just Diaz whom Autonomous should look up to. Tim Wesley and Bobby Coldeen fired 13 shots each, damaging NMC’s gameplan.
The Wesley-Coldeen offense was something NMC seemed to have not anticipated.
A single three points and several strong drive inside the painted area by Coldeen, and a series of quick lay ups by Wesley paved the way for Autonomous to advance in the scoreboard.
Now, NMC banked mostly on Mark Wallace’s offense. Wallace made 23 points actually, but these shots fired were not enough to pull the educators through the end.
Wallace had a hard time shooting at the basket considering the tight defense by Autonomous.
NMC’s Joe Villacrusis was excited to fire as many shots as he can, but several times Autonomous thwarted his attempts. Well, even without any Autonomous cagers to harass him, Villacrusis’ attempts at the basket failed.
Villacrusis’ hope to bring NMC to the playoffs started when he fired a three-pointer in the initial minutes of first quarter.
His three-point attempt was repeated only in the last quarter of play, which could be considered too late. But his rainbow attempt at the final minutes should not be held against him for Autonomous got him checked through the entire time.
Autonomous will now pit against PTI in the finals today at the Ada Gym.
Scores:
Autonomous – 81: Diaz – 27; Ponce Rasa – 11; Richard Brostrom – 11; Coldeen – 13; Chris Camacho – 4; Wesley – 13; and Jun Aaron – 2.
NMC – 62: Mel Manibusan – 4; Wallace – 23; Joe Villacrusis – 15; Jerry Diaz – 2; Ray Roberto – 2; Gyles Ruluked – 12; Lawrence Buniag – 2; and Jacob Villagomez – 2.
