Hard luck Titay CKB falls to Alicia KSB in Gov. Hofer hoops tournament

MORE Paul & Eloy. Titay CKB needed more than just Paul Desiderio and Eloy Poligrates (white jerseys), as the team suffered a frustrating 83-61 loss from the hands of Alicia KSB Glass on its Day 3 campaign of the 22nd Araw ng Zamboanga Sibugay – 1st Gov. Ann K. Hofer Open Invitational Basketball Tournament at the Capiltol Hills Civic and Sports Center in Ipil, Zamboaanga Sibugay. (Photo by Rommel C. Manlosa)

IPIL, Zamboanga Sibugay – The Paul Desiderio and Eluid Poligrates tandem brought enormous firepower to the offense of the Team Titay CKB, but they needed more as they suffered worst defeat, 83-61 from the hands of play-for-pay circuit veterans KSB Glass represented Team Alicia on the Day 3 of the 22^nd Araw Ng Zamboanga Sibugay – 1^st Gov. Ann K. Hofer Open Invitational Basketball Tournament held at the Capitol Hills Civic and Sports Center, here.

Team Titay had a fine start as they engaged the veteran opponents in a scary exchange of baskets that saw two deadlocks and two lead changes.

However, the CKB squad loses started to loss its focus when flimsy referee calls started to get into their nerves of Titay quintet.

At the 3:44 mark of the first, Poligrates was slapped with a technical foul for unsportsmanlike conduct after arguing with the referee’s call. Then at the 1:06 mark also of the first, Titay CKB coach Michael Cenabre was whistled for a technical foul for arguing what he saw was a foul but instead the referee called a stepping violation on his player. While Poligrates’ technical infraction was when he got away from the defense of Alicia guard Rendell Senining. Poligrates got a clear lane to the basket, however, he was called for an offensive foul the moment he shook off Senining.

ELOY Poligrates (no.6, white & blue jersey) bring the ball upcourt to start Titay CKB offense as Nigerian reinforcement Sommy Managor ran up the other side to get to the post. Poligrates had his usual numbers as he scored a total of 14 points but Managor who scored double figures in the past two games, struggled against the defense of Alicia reinforcements Cameroonian Landry Sanjo and Nigerian Emman Ojoula. (Photo by Rommel C. Manlosa)

“It was clear pushing foul but instead of call it right, he (referee) called a stepping violation. It was just disgusting. If you argue with them, instead of explaining, they gave you a technical (foul). Why can’t a coach or a player can just point out what (referees) missed without giving a technical foul?” Cenabre explained.

Titay’s game went downhill since as Alicia used their lapses in both offense and defense to jumpstart a devastating rally.

With the score standing at 25-19 in favor of Alicia, KSB Glass mounted a searing 25-4 run to build a 27-point lead, 50-23 with 2:59 remaining in the second period.

FORMER Blackwater Elite star guard Paul Desiderio prepares for an offensive rebound against two Alica players. Desiderio dropped a total of 28 points in his debut with Titay CKB team. But his efforts fell short against the well-equipped opponents. (Photo by Rommel C. Manlosa)

Poligrates and Desiderio combined for a short 11-2 spurt that pulled Titay CKB to 34-52 disadvantage at the close of the first half.

Determined to make a comeback, Titay came out from the halftime huddle dropping a 9-2 run to put them within 43-54 midway to the third.

However, their poor performance on defensive rotation again got in the way to their come-back hope as Alica KSB Glass made an 11-0 run to reinstate a 22-point lead 65-43, which eventually was trimmed to 67-47 at the close of the penultimate period.

THREE Titay CKB players line-up in the middle as teammate Sommy Managor (covered) was shooting free throws. Titay CKB failed to get enough help from the other players resulting to a frustrating 83-61 loss to Alica KSB Glass in the 22nd Araw Ng Zamboanga Sibugay – 1^st Gov. Ann Hofer Open Invitational Basketball Tournament. (Photo by Rommel C. Manlosa)

Another short 9-2 run again put Titay CKB within the fighting distance, but again a telling 9-0 Alica counter run dosed all hopes of the lesser experienced squad from making a comeback.

The victory placed Alicia alongside Zamboanga City Family Sardines with an identical 2-0 record while Titay CKB dropped to 1-2 with its final game was scheduled at 8PM on Saturday evening (February 18).

Landry Sanjo and Reed Juntilla finished with 16 points each and Vincent Minguito added 12 for Alicia KSB while Desiderio scored the game high 28 points and Poligrates added 14 for Titay CKB. RCM

Box scores:

Alicia KSB Glass (83) – Sanjo 16, Juntilla 16, Minguito 12, Abad 8, Ojoula 7, Aguirre 6, Lusdoc 5, Cabahug 4, Hontiveros 3, Senining 2, Bungansisso 2, Berame 2.

Titay Coach K Basketball Skills Camp (61) – Desiderio 28, Poligrates 14, Managor 6, Catapusan 4, Macaraig 4, Akpuru 2, Galvez 2, Olayon 1.

Quarterscores: 25-14; 52-34; 67-47; 83-61.