By Cha Villadolid

In their third win of the Itam Invitationals 2023 tournament, JCSGO Christian Academy’s (JCA) Men’s Basketball Team took command of a thriller battle against Sanctuario of St. Maria Theresa School (SSMTS), 86-85, last January 28 at FEU Institute of Technology Gymnasium.

David Manriza’s opening basket set the tone for JCA, launching them into a 5-0 run in the first quarter. Kyle Torres significantly pitched in, amassing six points in the initial stages of the close ball game, 13-10.

With the perfect momentum and head-start, it was raining buckets, with Jackson Angolluan and Ralph Rizano’s seven points in the second quarter, but SSMTS caught up to take the lead going into the half, 36-38.

The game hung in suspense as SSMTS clung to a five-point advantage, 42-47, entering the second half, but the squad in blue seized an opportunity to take control of the game, with Marc Sigua’s three-pointer unleashed a 5-0 run, reclaiming dominance, 58-53.

JCA secured a commanding 6-0 lead, with Manriza scoring seven baskets and Rizano contributing an impressive 10 points with five blocks as he asserted control over the game in the defensive zone.

The team secured an 86-85 victory in a close game, marking their third consecutive win in the ITam Invitational tournament.

Aviona Villadolid, Renzelle Bersamin