RTU takes Game 1

The Rizal Technological University Blue Thunder weathered a spirited comeback to repulse the Olivarez College Sea Lions, 86-82, in an emotionally-charged encounter last Tuesday, Jan 26, in Game 1 of the 17th National Capital Region Athletic Association (NCRAA) men’s basketball finals.

    The BlueThunder wielded the homecourt advantage, but they still had to depend on four crucial free throws to keep the Sea Lions at bay in the last six minutes before they were able to clinch Game 1 of their best-of-three finals series at the RTU gymnasium in Mandaluyong.

    Jerby Glorioso and Jericho Cruz  had 18 points apiece, and hit  four decisive charities in the dying seconds to help move the Blue Thunders a win away of their first ever crown in this cagefest, which is supported by Mikasa and Molten Balls.

    With the Sea Lions threatening at 81-82,  Cruz kept the Blue Thunder ahead with his freebies of Erwin Encela’s foul with still six ticks to go.

    After Encela split his charities in ensuing play, Glorioso canned in a pair of gift shots with still half a second left off Encela’s fifth foul, and this handed RTU a four-point advantage as time  expired.

    “It was a hard-fought game. They are very skillful. They are tough and they’re physical.  And they also want to win the title just like us. Hopefully, we can pull through in the next game,” said RTU coach Beaujing Acot.

    The Blue Thunder played without ace forward Jessie Villamor after he was suspended for a game for his involvement in a commotion during RTU’s fight-marred 77-70 semifinals win over the  Universal College Dragons last week.

    Villamor’s absence took its toll on the Blue Thunder after they posted a 74-62, spread midway in the last period behind  Cruz and Alwyn Elinon, whose efforts allowed RTU to widen a five-point lead  to 13, 77-62, with 3:26 to go.

    Philip de la Cruz led the Sea Lions with 24 points, including 14 in the last period while John Lascunas and Marlon Vizcarra fired 12 apiece.

    The Sea Lions came charging back from 13 points down after they lost Lascunas to his fifth foul in the last five minutes, with de la Cruz making to two triples, while Marc Angot hit one trey with six seconds left to keep the Paranaque-based dribblers in the thick of the fight, 81-82.