FRIARS BEST DOLPHINS IN THE CLUTCH

By Jay Leon Guerrero

The FD Friars won in dramatic fashion over the Southern Dolphins 65-63 in the IIAAG boys basketball league at the FD Phoenix Center Tuesday night to improve to 10-2 for the season. The Friars trailed for a majority of the game but took the lead in the final period thanks to a 7-0 run with 3 minutes remaining.

The first meeting between the teams was won by the Dolphins, but the game was later forfeited due to Southern having an ineligible player play in the game.

Southern guard Diallo Cruz made a basket and a three-pointer in the final minute, but his deep three-pointer to win the game at buzzer just missed as the Friars breathed a deep sigh of relief after his shot hit the back of the iron.

The Dolphins controlled the glass in the first half, out-rebounding the Friars as they led the entire first half. The Dolphins opened up a 12-2 lead causing FD head coach Eddie Pelkey to burn a timeout and sub his entire starting unit.

FD’s Tristan Jose, coming off the bench in Pelkey’s second unit, carried his team in the first half to help the Friars stay within striking distance scoring 12 points and force three turnovers. Jose made an immediate impact with his trap defense that led to easy lay-ins at the other end.

Southern’s Dialo Cruz missed the potential game-winner in the closing seconds of the game. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

The Dolphins owned the boards with Ryan Teologo scoring 12 points and grabbing 8 rebounds by the break. The Dolphins had 11 first half offensive rebounds that led to 12 easy baskets courtesy of Teologo, Christian Lopez, and Michael Borja.

Nick Clark got hot in the third quarter hitting three triples to help the Friars tie the game at 39-39. The game went back-and-forth with Cruz trading baskets with Friars’ Isaiah Sablan and Jason Santos in the fourth quarter.

The Friars went on a 7-0 run with three minutes left in regulation with Nate Taimanglo and Clark getting steals in the backcourt that led to buckets. Jujuan King hit a free throw and Clark hit his fourth triple of the game to take a 63-57 lead.

The Dolphins then went to their lead scorer Cruz in the final 20 seconds of the game down 64-60. Cruz heaved a long three-pointer that found the bottom of the net to have the Dolphins trailing 64-63 with 12 seconds left. The Dolphins went for the steal but were forced to foul Clark with 7 ticks remaining and he made 1-of-2 from the charity stripe to set up the final possession for the Dolphins as they were trailing by two.

Friars Isaiah Sablan hits the pull-up jumper to give the Friars the lead. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Cruz took the ball up court and went left off a pick and had a good look as the buzzer sounded, but his shot caught the back iron as time expired.

“We just got to take it one game at a time, we play for today,” said Clark who led the Friars with 18 points, all in the second half.

“There were two things we need to work on coming into this game based on our first game, we need to stop the dribble penetration and box out and limit their second chance opportunities. In the first half, we weren’t doing that,” said Pelkey.

Clark led the way for the Friars with 18 points, Jose had 14 points. Teologo led the Dolphins with 21 points and 12 rebounds, Cruz scored 13.

The junior varsity Friars remained undefeated with 62-36 victory over the Dolphins. The Friars are one step closer to a perfect season with a 12-0 record. DeAundre Cruz led the Friars with 16 points, Leon Shimizu scored 13 for the Friars. Shane Terlaje and John Lopez scored 10 and 7, respectively for the Dolphins.

Stats

Southern:
Ryan Teologo – 21 PTS, 12 REB, 1 BLK
Diallo Cruz – 13 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST
Dominic Diego – 13 PTS, 2 STL
Christian Lopez – 10 PTS, 10 REB

FD:
Nick Clark – 18 PTS, 3 STL
Tristan Jose – 14 PTS, 5 REB, 3 STL
Roy Taimanglo – 6 PTS, 3 STL
Isaiah Sablan – 6 PTS, 2-2 FGM

Other Scores

JFK 76, Okkodo 69
St. John’s 63, Harvest 49
GW def. ND

PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:

Dolphins Dominic Diego gathers for a strong take to the hoop. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Friars captain Troy Corpuz attempts a layup through contact. (photo by Robert Balajadia)

Friars Christian Paulino sets up the offense late in the 4th quarter. (photo by Robert Balajadia)