GK Warriors shades Baltimore 46-43 in thriller, wins championship

Reported by Jun Rana

Ian Clemente, Yogi Veranga and Ryan De Gracia scored five crucial points in the last one minute of the game and then saw Isaac Brooks of Baltimore Dragons missed a desperation game tying three pointer as time expired to give the Gawad Kalinga (GK) Warriors a pulsating 46-43 victory over the Dragons and the championship of the PAAD Palaro 2009 basketball championship.

Veranga, the Warrior’s top scorer and a powerful rebounder was awarded as the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP). Ian Clemente was given the nod as the championship game MVP for his defensive efforts which thwarted several offensive aggression of the Dragons in the basket. It was also Ian Clemente who gave the lead back to the Warriors 43-42 with time down to 40 seconds.

In a game that lived to all the hypes, drama and high expectation, both teams played one of the most thrilling and memorable games in the history of the PAAD Palaro. It was the first time in the tournament that the Warriors were tested in a game by an opponent with equal strength, who gave them all they could handle and who almost stole the thunder from them. But in the end it was the Warriors heart of the champion and steely resolve that won them the championship.

The Warriors were off to a flying start as they raced to an early 8-0 lead in the first half behind Ryan De Gracia who earlier hit two straight three pointers. The Warriors maintained the lead at 10-3 on a basket by Chris Clemente but Brooks answered back with a triple of his own to cut the lead to 10-6, with 16 minutes remaining in the first half. However, Brooks did not score again in the first half as he missed several three point attempts as the Warriors defenders took turns in guarding him.

With Veranga, Leo Yanogacio and Chris Clemente on the attack plus Ian Clemente anchoring the defense, the Warriors ignited a 13-8 blast to pad the lead to nine at 23-14, time down to 6 minutes. However, the Dragons kept coming back. With Glen Yap hitting a three pointer, the Warrior’s lead was reduced to six, at 25-19 with two minutes remaining. However, Veranga converted on a layup and Yanogacio, who had 4 rebounds in the first half, hit a triple to give the Warriors an 11 point halftime lead at 30-19.

At the start of the second half, unheralded Paco Estrada provided a spark for the Dragons with a follow up shot on a missed free throw by Jackie Borsotos, which cut the Warriors lead to eight at 30-22. Perhaps it was what the doctor ordered and a signal that the Dragons were going to fight up to the finish line. Coach Ed Padilla made his offensive adjustments to the game, and the second half saw the Dragons slashing more in the lane. Brooks abandoned his three point shooting to score more with layups or free throws along with Raymond Latogo and Borsotos. However with four minutes remaining the Warriors were still on top by 10, 41-31 and up to this point, it was Curtis Clemente teaming up with Veranga in answering the Dragons fire. Meanwhile, Ian Clemente led the defense and Yanogacio led the rebound department to prevent a big run by the Dragons. At that point, the Warriors were also outrebounding the Dragons, and they ended up with a 17-7 edge in rebounding in the entire game. However, the Dragons have the edge in speed which compensated for their rebounding weakness.

At this juncture, and in a three minute span, the Dragons who never seemed to tire unleashed an 11-0 explosion behind Borsotos, Brooks and Latogo most of them on penetrating layups to grab the lead at 42-41 with one minute remaining. During that period, Yanogacio the Warriors top rebounder committed his fifth foul which sent him out of the game. He also incurred a technical foul for arguing with the referee. Also, both teams missed pressure packed free throws which underline the intensity and high stake of the game.

In the ensuing play, Ian Clemente missed two free throws that could have given back the lead for the Warriors. Latogo of the Dragons then committed a travel violation with 40 seconds remaining. In the next play, Ian Clemente drove against a Dragon defender and converted on layup to give the lead back to the Warriors 43-42.

With 30 seconds remaining and both teams on the penalty situation, Brooks rushed to the basket and attempted a jump shot over the Warrior’s John Llave but missed. Ian Clemente got the rebound and was immediately fouled by Latogo, time down to 19.7 seconds. Ian Clemente however missed both free throws. And in the scramble for the rebound, Veranga grabbed the loose ball and hit an under goal shot to give the Warriors a 45-42 lead. With 11 seconds remaining, Yap of the Dragons committed a costly travel violation after an inbound pass by Borsotos. In the inbounds play, Latogo immediately fouled De Gracia. De Gracia converted only the second free throw for a 46-42 Warriors lead, with 9 seconds remaining.

In the ensuing possession, the Warriors fouled a jump shooting Brooks, time down to 1.7 seconds. Brooks hit only the second free throw to reduce the lead to 46-43 for the Warriors. On the Warriors inbound pass, Brooks stole the ball and unloaded a three point shot which held all the fans breathless... motionless. The shot hit the rim and did not go in to the delight of the Warrior fans who jumped for joy. Thus, the Warriors won the PAAD Basketball Championship for the second straight year and with an unbeaten record. And for Captain Herb Monsalud and his charges, they won the championship the hardest way, yet the sweetest way. Thanks to the Baltimore Dragons who provided the Warriors with a hard fought and a classic match, one which will always be remembered for ages.

Box Score –

GK Warriors:
Veranga, Yogi, 16; DeGracia, Ryan, 10; Clemente, Curtis, 6; Yanogacio, Leo, 5; Clemente, Chris; 4; Clemente, Ian, 3; Clemente, Coco, 2; De Guzman, Carlo, 0; Llave, John, 0; De Guzman, Ryan, 0; Cardenio, Dads, 0; Monsalud, Herb,0

Baltimore, Dragons:
Brooks, Isaac, 15; Latogo, Raymund, 9; Borsotos, Jackie, 8; Yap, Glen, 5; Goasta, Mistek, 4; Estrada, Paco,2; Siason, James, 0; Gumatay, Souk, 0; Concepcion, Julio, 0; Concepcion, Frank, 0; Delgado, Frank, 0; Borromeo, Samuel, 0; Persia, Tads, 0; Edades, Edgar,0; Rosario, Alvin, 0