MARTINEZ SINKS GAME WINNER

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Robert Balajadia

2000/’05’s Nick Santos balled so hard ’07 could not find him, finishing with 27 points. (photo by Jesse Castro)

2007 – 53, 2000/05 – 51

The fate of 2007’s FD Alumni Basketball Tournament lives came down to two plays, on offense and defense, where ’07’s Jude Martinez and Brandon Duenas delivered while overcoming 2000/’05’s Nick Santos’ 27 points.

With the game tied at 51, Martinez looked at the clock and noticed he had just 14 seconds to make a play, taking the ball the length of the court before spotting up at the top of the key for the game winning midrange jump shot.

’00/’05 quickly inbounded the ball to Santos with less than five seconds left but he was immediately met by Martinez and Vince Laguana, which prevented Santos’ quick trigger jumper, allowing Duenas to sneak a hand in and strip Santos which ended the game.

“If it wasn’t for team defense then we wouldn’t have won,” commented Martinez on the game’s closing seconds.

Martinez finished with 20 points while Duenas added 13.  Neil Espino had 15 points for 2000/’05.

McDonald’s Player of the Game: 2007’s Jude Martinez

The final 10 minutes of the game presented 10 lead changes and four ties.  ’07 trailed 24-21 at halftime and appeared to be in trouble as Santos hit three straight three pointers to push the lead 34-28.  ’00/’05 eventually surrendered the lead after a three pointer by Martinez to put ’07 up 40-39, then the see-saw battle began.

Frank Aguon put ’07 up 44-41 after a pair of free throws but buckets by Espino and Santos game ’00/’05 back the lead, 45-44.  Laguana hit a difficult layup to give ’07 the lead a play later but free throws by Espino tied the game at 46.

Santos got free for a three-pointer in the final two minutes to put ’00/’05 up 49-46 but Martinez quickly responded with a three-pointer for the games third tie.  ’07’s Alan Paxtian hit a pair of free throws followed by Espino’s layup to tie the game at 51.  Martinez then responded with the game winner.

1995 – 59, 1979/80 – 35

95’s Jay Leon Guerreo led all scorers with 17 points while teammate E.J. Calvo added 13 as ’95 used a 31-8 halftime lead to coast past ’79/’80, moving on the the Alumni quarter finals.  Joey Javellana led ’79/’80 in scoring with 11 points.

85/86/AD7 – 45, 1975 – 28

Fred Tupaz cashed in a 21 points and 10 assist, double-double performance, as 85/86/AD7 mightily defeated the ageless Class of ’75 to advance to the quarterfinals.  Carlos Taitano finished with 23 points to lead all scorers.

FULL TOURNEY SCOREBOARD

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

2000/’05’s Neil Espino gets the layup over ’07’s Jude Martinez. (photo by Jesse Castro)

The game got very physical, as expected in the Alumni Tournament Playoffs. (photo by Jesse Castro)

’07’s Josh Manglona attempts the jump shot over ’00/’05’s Sean Leon Guerrero. (photo by Jesse Castro)

’00/’05’s Nick Santos hits the reverse layup past ’07’s Alan Paxtian. (photo by Jesse Castro)

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