Sharks attack
Spartans, 64-48
By Jose Mari Hall Lanuza and Jonathan Rod Sitchon De Guzman

The Senior Blue Sharks Basketball Team crushed the hopes of the Junior Red Spartans Basketball Team of becoming champions after a 64-48 win in the final match-up of the basketball championship in the Makati Science High School Intramurals at the school grounds, Sept. 29.

The Spartans lost their twice to beat advantage in an earlier championship match after losing to the Sharks, 73-65, setting the stakes higher in the final championship game.
The first quarter went out very slowly, with the opposing teams exhibiting powerful defenses, making penetration near impossible. Mario Cirilo Espiritu De Mesa III of the Sharks and Jedmund Mascallado Sales of the Spartans led their respective teams’ offenses. The Sharks finished 6 points ahead of the Spartans, 12-6.
Sharks center Jon Bon Jovi Endaya Timones led his team as he dominated the Spartans’ big men under the basket, scoring 7 points in the second quarter. The Spartans defended with a tight full court press, but the Sharks still managed to score 21 points as to the 24 points of the opponent.

As the third quarter began, the Spartans came more aggressively, making a 4-2 run and eventually taking the lead, 27-26. However, a barrage of tactical plays from the Sharks soon changed their 1-point deficit to a 10-point lead by slowing the Spartans down on both sides of the court. Moreover, Spartan Mark Vincent Sarmiento Valmadrid, in spite of his leadership and scoring prowess, was troubled with a muscle cramp in his leg, allowing the Sharks to take advantage and continue their strategy. Valmadrid scored only 2 of the 8 points of the Spartans, while Virgil Elis Hernandez Mariano led the Sharks with his 5 points, ending the third quarter 39-29.

Tension on the court heated up as the fourth quarter began, and Valmadrid came back to the ballgame, trying to close the gap between the scores. But efforts from both De Mesa and Mariano from the Sharks increased their lead to 16. The Spartans found themselves falling behind, fighting hard, and eventually scoring 6 quick points in the last four minutes. The Sharks, however, retaliated with 4 sure points from center Timones and star point guard Vicson Aypa Mabanglo. With a very comfortable 16-point lead, the Sharks slowly counted the seconds to their first ever championship, ending the game with 64-48.

With a come-from-behind win, the Sharks rejoiced at the sound of the buzzer. Mabanglo led the Sharks with 18 points and 2 rebounds, followed by Timones with 13 points and 10 rebounds, while Valmadrid proved to be the star player of the Spartans with 19 points and 6 assists.

Timones, De Mesa, Mabanglo, Valmadrid, and Mark Lorenz Samonte of the Spartans made up the Mythical Five while Valmadrid was named Most Valuable Player with his stunning overall record of 71 points, 18 rebounds, and 12 assists.