Medellin win Championship title after OT victory
By Paulo Andrada
October 12, 2015 | Photo by Lyka Finella Cabucos
Medellin player tries to put defense as the CTE player lays the basket to the hoop.
Medellin Men’s Basketball Team grabs the gold medal finish after a thrilling 62-60 overtime win against the College of Teacher Education (CTE).
The heated match-up was highly anticipated by fans and players after meeting early on the tournament. Medellin claimed the victory on that physical game where 12 players were fouled out.
Both teams demonstrated their tight defense that ended the first period with a deadlock at nine all. CTE took control of the game late in the second quarter. Igniting a 6-0 run after being tied at 18 to close out the first half, 24-18.
Medellin tried to catch-up in the third quarter and brought down the lead to three, 27-30,
with under 1:23 remaining. CTE answered back and kept leading 33-30 after three periods.
CTE extended their margin by seven, 42-35, after a free throw by CTE guard Ybeirnas (No.30)
with 3 minutes left in the final period.
Medellin manage to crept behind CTE and got close to within three with under seven
seconds remaining, 47-50. Medellin had the last ball position and guard Sergz Pedroza
(No. 9) manage to pull up a booming triple to send the game into overtime, 50-50.
Medellin blitzed with a 6-0 run to start off the extended period, 56-50. It was their first time
to lead since trailing behind the entire game. Medellin managed to keep CTE at bay and
sealed the victory with the final score 62-60.
In a post game interview with CTE’s forward Ian Rhu O. Naldo (No. 0) that they don’t blame
anyone from the heartbreaking loss. He said that it was God’s will why they did not manage
to close out the game in its final seconds.
“It’s God’s will...” said Naldo.
Medellin regained the championship title after failing to secure it last year. It was their fifth
championship title in a span of six years. Medellin swept the tourney without dropping a
single game 3-0.
Quarter Scores: 9-9, 18-24, 30-33, 50-50, OT: 62-60
WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP GAME
In the Women’s Basketball Division, The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) won the championship match against the College of Teacher Education (CTE), 24-17.
CAS managed to establish their dominance after leading in the first period, 9-3. They continued to protect the lead by the end of three quarters 16-9.
In the payoff period, CAS lead as much as eight points, 20-12, with under 3:55 remaining. CTE tried to bring down the lead to 5, 15-20, but CAS answered back and put them at bay until the final buzzer sounded, 24-17.
“We are not after the championship but we are after the development of the team... This is not only for the present but we are also thinking about the future...” CTE Coach James Un said after losing the match.
Quarter scores: 9-3, 9-4, 16-9, 24-17
Medellin players poses with their Men's Basketball gold medals.
An Audience dances inside the court after the buzzer beater
three to extend the game into overtime.