
By Robert Balajadia
After suffering two tough losses in three games to JFK and St. Paul, the Okkodo Bulldogs weren’t planning on letting their skid against the leagues top teams last much longer. Saturday evening the Bulldogs defended home court against the unbeaten FD Friars, handing them their first loss in a closely contested contest 60-56.
“Those losses made us better and we learned how to finish stronger. We’ve had trouble starting and finishing, but we fixed those mistakes today and got that dub,” said Okkodo’s captain Dale Bautista.
Bulldog Dale Bautista led Okkodo with 16 points and teammate Kevin Cabral added 15 as Okkodo nailed nine total three pointers. The Bulldogs also got a big lift off the bench from big man Ray Caligal with their proficient low-post scoring threat Jon Lorena picking up his fifth and final foul to start the 4th quarter.
Caligal provided six big points, including a big and-one basket to challenge Friar center Matt Fegurgur to ignite the team while hitting clutch free throws in the final seconds to give the Bulldogs a two-possession lead.
“Like coach [Arleen Mad] always says, you never know when it’s your time. When she calls your name you have to be ready to step up and he did,” said Bautista on Caligal.
Down 59-56, the Friars gave up two offensive rebounds on missed free throws from Bautista and Cabral which allowed the Bulldogs two more chances to extend the lead. Caligal was fouled and converted one of two free throws with four seconds on the clock to put the Friars away.
Okkodo once again started the contest slow after not scoring a basket until halfway through the 1st quarter. Slow starts have plagued the Bulldogs all season and just recently against the Warriors just the other night as they fell behind 11-0 before finally scoring a basket.
“I don’t know what it is, but we have to shake it off,” said Bautista on the slow starts. “Our coach always gets mad at us and starts yelling and we pick it up from there.”
Tony Quinene led the Friars with 19 points as they suffer their first loss of the season. FD will host the JFK Islanders on Tuesday while the Bulldogs travel to GW to face the (5-1) Geckos.
PHOTO GALLERY BROUGHT TO YOU BY:
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- Bulldog Dale Bautista blows a kiss to the crowd after sinking free throws to extend the lead in the final minutes. (photo by Robert Balajadia)
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- Okkodo’s Ray Caligal takes it strong in the paint against FD Friar Matt Fegurgur. (photo by Robert Balajadia)
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- FD’s leading scorer Tony Quinene pulls up for a jumper in the second half. (photo by Robert Balajadia)
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- Friar Davin Rojas drives baseline and looks to dish to an open teammate on the wing. (photo by Robert Balajadia)
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- Friar Colin Santiago flips up a shot after getting fouled for a three-point play. (photo by Robert Balajadia)


GPS Sports Calendar
February 2023
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for January
1st
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
2nd
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
3rd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL PLAYOFFS
Events for February
4th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
Events for February
6th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
7th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
8th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
9th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
10th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
TRITONS BASEBALL INVITATIONAL FINALS
Events for February
12th
MONSTER ENERGY MOTOCROSS ROUND 2
Events for February
13th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
14th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
15th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
Events for February
16th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
Events for February
17th
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
Events for February
18th
BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2K/5K
World Athletics Cross Country Championships
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
Events for February
20th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
21st
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
22nd
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL
Events for February
23rd
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
Events for February
24th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS
Events for February
24th
Events for February
25th
Events for February
27th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL PLAYOFFS
ISA BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS
ISA GIRLS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
Events for February
28th
IIAAG BEACH VOLLEYBALL FINALS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE SEMIFINALS
IIAAG TENNIS LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS

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