By Jeffery Ochavillo

The GHRA Basketball Varsity League is coming down to its quarterfinals before heading to the semi-finals next week. Tuesday’s game had GPD’s five-man squad against a younger DFS team with more than enough on the bench. However, GPD did not let the issue get to their heads and went ironman the whole way as they prevailed past DFS with a score of 61-55. The win gives GPD a chance to face Justice II next weekend for a spot in the championship game.

On the game situation of having only five players, GPD’s Micah Hernandez responded saying, “Honestly, we were trying to slow the game down with us only having five players. We had to conserve energy as much as we could at the same time trying to keep the lead not letting those guys comeback.” He continued, “having only five guys was probably our only biggest problem in the game.”

From tipoff, GPD wasted no time trying to gain tempo of the game as they jumped to an early 15-6 lead after GPD’s Ollie Bradley stopped for a pull-up jumper behind the arc where a DFS defender fouled him on the contest, counting the basket while adding one at the line to complete the 4-point play.

Minutes later, GPD continued their hot shooting streak with a deep jumper by Joe Steven and a series of put back points by Bradley. DFS was not going to let GPD run away with the half as Roy Villanueva drained one of his many threes of the night to cut the lead 28-18.

DFS came back with a 10-4 run in the last minutes of the first half, led by their center who made multiple key baskets and Roy Villanueva who continued his hot shooting while providing good defensive stops to slow the offense of GPD. Before the half ended, Micah Hernandez and Chris Michaels were able to put two easy buckets before the halftime buzzer as GPD held on to their 36-28 lead.

The second half  is where DFS started to gain back momentum after hitting jumpers that had sparked a run to cut the lead to a single point. However, GPD’s stout defense prevented DFS from ever taking the lead. GPS utilized their speed and DFS’ foul trouble to get to the line for easy points to stay in front.

The DFS center continued to drain more jump shots, allowing them to spread the offense and get his teammates involved by coming up with easy drive- in layups. Minutes later after a steal by Villanueva, he pushed the ball coast-to-coast and dish it to their trailing center for an easy basket, cutting the deficit to 40-39.

GPD’s Joe Steven Buan hits a three pointer. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Fouls started to catch up with DFS midway through the second half putting GPD on the line for free throws which gave the group ample resting time. Free throw-after-free throw, the lead started to increase for GPD.

With less than two minutes left in the game, DFS started dialing from long distance to spark a late run but no nothing fell. Time started to dwindle down as GPD was in cruise control holding the ball and waiting for time to elapse. More fouls meant more free throws and resting time which allowed GPD to close out the game.

GPD now faces Justice II next week for a spot in this year’s championship.

John Derrick Odtohan hits a jumper from the wing. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

“It’s not the first time we played Justice II. We had problems dealing with their big guy so for game plan, we will have to try and slow the game down against them and use our speed to our advantage,” said Hernandez

GPD’s Ollie Bradley finished with a game high 26 points shooting well from both behind the arc and getting points in the key. In the losing effort, the DFS center scored a team high 17 points, while Villanueva assisted with 14 points for DFS.

Other Scores: Recreational Division

Calvo’s Inc 55, WDI 54

A game that consisted of rallies not guaranteeing a definite winner until the final basket. WDI was given a chance to win the game after WDI’s Tony Bautista forced a turnover from Calvo’s Rashaun Blas with under 20 seconds left. WDI nearly turned the ball over and had to take a highly contested shot that drew iron.

Jarred Meno led Calvo’s with 22 points in the game along side Rashaun Blas with 13. Jeff Manalastas led WDI with 13 points, with teammate Joshua Flores with 12.

Calvo’s Rashaun Blas attempts a fadeaway jumper over two defenders. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Sheraton 48, AK Motors 39

The game was very close in the first half with a score of 26-25 with Sheraton up. However, as the game progressed Sheraton started to change the tempo of the game and started to extend their lead giving them the win.

Jarao led all scorers with a total number of 23 points overall, but teammate Naka contributed his share with 12 of his own points for Sheraton. Mike Borja led AK with a total of 14 points in the losing effort.

Sheraton got a great lift in the second half to pull away from AK. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

IP&E 61, BOG 54

It was a close match up overall but IP&E prevailed with Bobet Maseda leading his team to a win with a total of 21 points. On the side of BOG, Jack trailed for top scorer with 19 points alongceside teammate Symon Madadraze who dropped 16 of his own points in the losing effort.

PHOTO GALLERY:

GPD’s Micah Hernandez drives to the basket for a layup. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Sheraton got a great lift in the second half to pull away from AK. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Calvo’s Nate Torres gets fouled on his way to the basket. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

WDI’s Tony Bautista converts on a drive to the rim. (photo by Robert Balajadia)