Jardeleza explodes, but Andrade bails out Blades with BuzzerBeater for third League win
League III.13 Elimination Round
Bacoor Blades @ Barangay Pilipinas
Philippine Team Arena
In what could only be considered a very frantic affair, the Bacoor Blades came back from being down 18 at the half to stealing the game away from Barangay Pilipinas, 100-98, in front of a capacity crowd at Philippine Team Arena.
The Blades got downed early. Flattened by the furious offense of the hosts, the Cavite five saw themselves at the short end of the scoreboard, 29-14. Though they got better offense by the second canto, they were still defending poorly with Barangay Pilipinas still winning the quarter 23-20 for a halftime spread of 52-34.
Despite the absence of key guard Edward Clark, Barangay Pilipinas banked on the hot shooting of young Giedrius Chalkovskis and Bernabe Daniel Estebal to will them over.
But though it seemed bleak at the time, Dendo Jardeleza led the way as the Blades slowly trimmed the lead in the third. But the effort was yet to be desired as 36 minutes of play ended with Bacoor still down 14, 73-59.
Jardeleza’s stellar play would spill onto the final period, with Luke Andrade providing a steady presence on the offensive end. The newly-acquired guard would enter the final period with just 17 points to his name, but a 28-point explosion saw him lead the Blades in their comeback in the final minutes of the game.
Just after the final two minute warning was being announced, Jardeleza would nail a three to cut it to 89-92 for the hosts. Tozé Duarte connects on an and-one play to extend it to 89-95. Jardeleza would nail back-to-back three pointers to seize the lead at 97-95. Chalkovskis connects with a three to retake the lead at 97-98, setting up the most crucial sequence of the game.
With just 24 ticks remaining, Blades team manager TheDogMan calls for time, setting up a play for Luke Andrade. But just as he would make his move he sees an open Jardeleza at the elbow, which eventually misses the jumper. As Hagen Misburg corralled the rebound, the Blades were instructed to pressure without fouling, which ended up being the right call as youngster Jessie Orejola stole the pass with less than 10 ticks remaining, after a frantic few seconds, the ball ended up at Andrade’s hands at the corner. And the 35 year-old veteran found the bottom of the net for the final score and the victory.
“This was a crazy game, no doubt.” said TheDogMan. “We were down early but I got to give it to the boys for not quitting. They showed heart today.”
“I’m particularly proud of our young guys, who showed poise despite the cardiac moments.”
When asked about Jardeleza, the Bacoor gaffer had nothing but praises. “What more can you say, he’s showed he can handle the pressure.”
“Ang gulo ng laro.” Jardeleza, who had 45 points, frankly admitted. “Nung una, konti lang pumapasok sa mga tira ko, so pinili ko ng maigi yung mga tira ko. Hindi pala dapat ganun ginawa ko.”
“Buti nalang pumasok yung tira ni Luke. Sya yung katuwang ko sa opensa buong laro.” Jardeleza praising Andrade.
“Bigla syang uminit, kahit kami hindi kami makapaniwala.” said Andrade, who ended up with 34 points and 10 rebounds. “Alam naming kaya nya pumuntos, pero yung ganung sunud-sunod, bigla na lang uminit yung kamay nya grabe.”
When asked about his game-winner, all he could do was shake his head.
“Di ko alam. Basta binato ko na lang. Umasa ako na pumasok kasi pina-praktis ko naman yung tirang yun eh.”
The victory gave them a 3-1 card, allowing them to overtake Barangay Pilipinas to 3rd place in the Big 8 standings. The Cavite-based squad shall take on mapor in their second round Cup assignment before resuming their League campaign against CLeaveLand Cavaliers Atlanta Hawks at The Bacoor Forum over the weekend.
Last edited by TheDogMan at 8/18/2015 2:31:20 PM