RAIDERS START SEASON STRONG

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By Niko Bulaon

Braves’ Daryen Guerrero attempts the fast break layup. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

How do you end a basketball game on a Monday night? With passion and determination, and that’s exactly what the St. Anthony Raiders gave their fans against the San Vicente Braves, winning 43-36.

In the dawn of the fourth quarter, the Braves didn’t show any sign of giving up as the Raiders’ defense began to scramble, committing careless fouls to give the Braves a fighting chance for a comeback. Braves’ William Camacho led his team with all of his 13 points coming from free throws in the quarter, cutting the Raiders lead down to only five in the last minute. But it wasn’t enough, with his team committing as much fouls as the Raiders, combining both teams for 26 fouls in the last quarter alone. With only a second left, the Raiders sank the last free throw, sealing the win and taking home the victory.

Right at tipoff both teams started off slow, missing their first shots and committing various turnovers. It wasn’t until Braves’ Tevin Pangelinan scored a three pointer that gave both teams more aggressiveness to stay on top. Raiders’ big men Ricky Brown and Thomas Fegurgur kept the team in pace and took the lead by the end of the first quarter, 10-4.

Braves’ William Camacho attempts the layup through two Raiders defenders. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

McDonald’s player of the game: Raiders’ Ricky Brown. 8 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals

With the motivation to take the lead further, the Raiders came out into the second and third quarter on fire. Raiders’ Brown and teammate Rudy Gaza grabbed steals to convert the easy layups, widening their lead to six points by the first two minutes of the second. As the Braves frustration grew, so did their costly turnovers and fouls, giving the Raiders the advantage on both offense and defense with a 16-6 run by the end of the third, obtaining a comfortable lead of 35-17.

“We worked hard,” said Brown, “our coach told us to fix our game and we did.”

“They weren’t doing what they were supposed to,” said Raiders coach Ruben Payumo, “I yelled at them; told them what they needed to do. They started to show a lot of potential. We need to work harder for upcoming games.”

The Braves kept the Raiders on their toes throughout the fourth quarter, but the Raiders held their balance till the final whistle to grab the win. Leading the Raiders were Brown with eight points, eight rebounds, and four steals while teammate Fergurgur poured in his own eight points. Braves William Camacho led all scorers with 13 points. Aiding Camacho was teammate Raine Delos Reyes with 10 points.

In the B game, the Raiders flew past the Braves 50-21.

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Raiders’ Eui Yeon Won drives the baseline to attempt a shot at the basket. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Raiders’ Ferrand Cabuhat looks to take the three pointer over the incoming defense. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

Raiders’ Eui Yeon Won wins the rebound battle against Braves’ Marceuno Cunanan. (photo by Errol Alegre, Jr.)

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