CCDC claims game one in BBEAL finals against SLU

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines - The Cordillera Career Development College (CCDC) Admirals played experienced basketball in the extra period to strike first blood against the Saint Louis University (SLU) Navigators 63 -56 in game one of their best-of-three Baguio-Benguet Educational Athletic League season 21 at the jam packed SLU Burgos Gym. Harold Sabado was not his usual scoring machine during the game with Navigators defenders pulling him out of his comfort zone but scored 6 points from his total 16 points in overtime to give them the win. The Admirals can wrap their second straight championship since joining the league in 2004, Thursday (October 2) at the CCDC Gymnasium. "We must win it in game two," Admiral head coach Gerry Estraniero said with a coarse voice after the ball game. He is poised to win his first collegiate championship coaching stint after failing to get one during his time at the Baguio Colleges Foundation (now UC Jaguars). "But I'm not counting them out yet. We just need to work hard on Game 2," Estraniero added after the game. There were at least six lead changes in the ball game with both teams leading by as high as six during regulation. Both teams remained scoreless during the first four minutes of play until Navigator Mike Hipol scored the first basket in the ball game with 6:00 left in the first period and ended with a 13-7 SLU lead going into the second quarter. The Navigators continue to impose their might against the Admirals to lead by five, 15-10 with 7:52 left in the period. Kirk Tamiray and Michael Balgua helped the CCDC cause to tie the ball game at 19 with 5:02 remaining in the second period. "We were very fortunate our backups, our second stringers really stepped in and held the fort for us," added Estraniero. The Admirals then took control of the remaining minutes of the first half to enjoy a four-point advantage at the end of the second period, 28-24. SLU then rode on the back of Joel Jimenez, Alvin Simon Bustos, and Hipol to turn the table in the third period to lead by one, 33-34 with 5:18 left en route to a 40-43 lead at the end of the third canto. When the final period began, the Navigators slowly worked on their offense and imposed a suffocating full court press but the Admirals just won't give in and even pulled a three-point, 46-43 lead with 5:38 remaining in the pay off period courtesy of Aquino's perimeter shooting. Hipol then answered with a one-handed basket in the ensuing play to tie the ball game at 46, 5:12 remaining in the regulation then followed by another Ramil Alimba's two plus one in the free throw line committed by Admiral Michael Balgua. The SLU crowd went gaga and cheered along after the Navigators posted a 48-53 lead with two minutes remaining but were later silenced by Sabado's trey to pull the Admirals within two, 51-53 with 1:35 remaining in the ball game. Tamiray then pulled a quick two to tie the ball game with 1:08 remaining in regulation. Both squads failed to convert in their possession sending the game into overtime. The Admirals then pulled a 10-3 run in the extra period to seal their first victory in the series. Only Admiral Sabado scored in double digit with his 16. Balgua, Tamiray, and Aquino contributed nine points a piece. The Navigators on the other hand drew points from Jimenez, Bustos and Hipol contributing 9 points each. Game 2 will be played at the CCDC gym Thursday at 3:30 in the afternoon. - Sun.Star Baguio