SHARKS SNAP 4-GAME LOSING STREAK

By Jay Leon Guerrero

The Sanchez Sharks kept their playoff hopes alive with a nail-biting 70-67 victory over the Tiyan Titans in the IIAAG/ISA Boys Basketball League Friday night.

The game featured nine lead changes in the fourth quarter alone. Both teams fought for survival, but the Sharks ultimately prevailed down the stretch. Broderick Wheeler led the way with 18 points and 14 rebounds, sealing the win at the free-throw line with 1.4 seconds remaining.

“At halftime, our coaches told us we need to stop committing turnovers,” said Wheeler. The Sharks trailed 31-27 at the break as Tiyan performed well on their home court despite surrendering 12 offensive rebounds. James Swaiter recorded three first-half steals to limit the Sharks’ scoring, while SJ Ruben added transition baskets and Ejay Tipwek hit a three-pointer to give the Titans the halftime lead.

The final period proved to be one of the most exciting eight-minute stretches of the season. After losing the lead in the third quarter, Tiyan’s Kanen Blas scored an and-1 to put the Titans back on top. The Sharks responded as Jthree Benito dishing an assist Juston Namelo, but Tiyan’s Malcolm Fernandez answered with the first of three three-pointers to energize the crowd.

With Fernandez hitting from deep, the Titans had a four point lead with under two minutes left in regulation. However, the Sharks continued to grind, reclaiming a one-point lead behind the interior scoring of Wheeler and Namelo.

Up by a point with 14 seconds left, the Sharks missed four consecutive free throws, missing a chance to seal the game. Wheeler recorded a steal with 1.4 seconds remaining, forcing the Titans to foul. Wheeler stepped to the line and knocked down both free throws. Tiyan’s Eric Crisostomo nearly forced overtime, but his half-court heave at the buzzer fell just short.

The win improves the Sharks to 3-7, keeping them in the playoff hunt as they prepare to face the 0-10 Harvest Eagles in their season finale. The loss eliminates the Titans from contention, dropping them to 2-8.

Namelo finished with a game-high 19 points and 10 rebounds, scoring 11 of those points in the fourth quarter. His offensive put-backs in the final period were vital in neutralizing Tiyan’s momentum. “We needed this win to keep our playoff hopes alive. I thank the Lord above and also my teammates for motivating each other,” Namelo said.

Fernandez led the Titans with 14 points, five rebounds, and three steals. Ong contributed 13 points and five rebounds, while Tipwek added 11 points.

In the junior varsity matchup, the Titans rallied to defeat the Sharks 44-39. Antonio Guerrero scored the final five points of the game to secure the win, finishing with a team-high 16 points. The victory moves the Titans to 7-3 in a competitive JV division, while the Sharks, led by Tice Uresin’s 13 points, also move to 7-3.

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