Hubert Cani leads Team Hype past Thirdy Ravena's Team Punks in SLAM Rising Stars Classic

National University Bullpups point guard Hubert Cani made two clutch free throws, and steadied Team Hype to a 93-90 win over Ateneo High Baby Eagle Thirdy Ravena and Team Punks in the first SLAM Rising Stars Classic, Saturday night, at the Gatorade Hoops Center.

Cani finished with 19 points, two rebounds, two assists, and two steals.

Team Hype established dominance early on, pouncing on fast break opportunities and offensive rebounds to score. Ranbill Tongco commanded a balanced offense for Team Hype and established a double-digit lead, until Alfren Gayosa hit a trey at the buzzer for Team Punks to end the quarter, 27-18.

The strong guard play continued in the second, as Advin Diputado and Renzo Subido carried Team Punks against the slashing play of Hubert Cani and JJ Domingo. Both squads appeared evenly matched until Team Punks made a run late to close the half, as Thirdy Ravena showed some of his off the dribble game in an 11-6 swing, trailing 53-46.

Team Hype led by as much as 12 points in the second behind the two-pronged attack of Cani on the break and Prince Rivero on the low block, powering the team to a 62-50 lead. Team Punks dug in defensively and forced a couple of 24-second violations and broke up Team Hype's transition chances. On the other end, Jay Javelosa's midrange jumpers supported Ravena's incursions in the lane, and allowed Team Punks to end the quarter down by six, 74-68.
 

Ravena's transition game kept Team Hype from pulling away in the fourth, scoring eight straight points during a 10-2 run midway through the quarter which sliced the deficit to one, 85-84. Team Hype had stalled, making just one field goal since the five minute mark, as Javelosa split charities with a minute left to tie the game at 87-87.

Cani and Ravena traded layups that just rimmed out before Cani drew a foul on the break with 29 seconds left and made both charities, 89-87. Team Punks called for time but couldn't score, as Subido let loose a wild layup that went nowhere near the rim. Team Punks burned their remaining team fouls, before finally sending Clint Doliguez to the line with 14 seconds left, who made another two freebies to make it a two-possession game, 91-87.

Team Punks pushed the ball up-court and found Ravena for a pull-up trey, slicing the lead to just one with six seconds remaining, 91-90. Team Punks then immediately fouled Arvin Tolentino, who drilled another two points from the line. Out of timeouts, Team Punks ran upcourt again, but this time the defense hounded Ravena and tipped the ball out of his hands before he could attempt a final shot.

Team Hype was coached by Talk N' Text assistant coach and current national Under-18 basketball team Jamike Jarin, assisted by Texter Jimmy Alapag. On the roster were Jeric Adorio (JRU), Hubert Cani (NU), JP Caulian (NU) Arjan Dela Cruz (Hope Christian High School), Clint Doliquez (HCHS), Richard Escoto (FEU), Matt Nieto (ADMU), Mike Nieto (ADMU), Prince Rivero (LSGH), Arvin Tolentino (SBC), Ranbill Tongco (SBC) and Rhanzelle Yong (SSC).

Team Punks was led by the assistant coach of the San Mig Super Coffee Mixers , Olsen Racela, and assisted by his fellow coach on the Mixers bench, Johnny Abarrientos. The roster consists of John Apacible (HCHS), Michael Calisaan (SSC), Isaiah Dandan (UST), Diego Dario (UPIS), Arvin Diputado (SBC), JJ Domingo (FEU), Alfren Gayosa (SSC), Jay Javelosa (Reedley International School), Javee Mocon (SBC), Rainier Quinga (AdU), Thirdy Ravena (ADMU) and Renzo Subido (DLSZ).

Both Yong and Calisan attended their graduation rites at San Sebastian today and were absent at the exhibition. - AMD, GMA News

Quarter scoring: 27-18, 53-46, 74-68, 93-90