Rasid-led Reapers redeem men's basketball championship against Anglers; Masters defend last year’s crown in women's category

With Mansor Rasid’s game-long three-point barrage, the College of Agriculture (COA) Reapers proved themselves as they topped the College of Fisheries (COF) Anglers, halting their hopes for gold, in the men’s basketball championship, at the University Gymnasium, October 14.

photo by Adrian Joven

The Reapers put off an early presence with Khalid Mulod’s defensive stop and fastbreak bucket, 6-4, in the early minutes of the first quarter.

Meanwhile, the Reapers were not able to pull through, with Anglers’ Jhon Michael Pacquiao sinking a tight right-handed drive, to cut the lead to one, 12-11, in COA’s favor.

As the second quarter started, Brian Jomahali of the COA, joined the shooting party, pummeling another basket as he regained their four-point lead, 15-11.

It was a tight battle between teams draining bucket after bucket until Allan Jay Manaloto unleashes a tightly contested mid-range floater at the closing seconds of the quarter, 22-23.

The Reapers were not able to contain the Anglers’ Ebrahim Saylon-Ayman Jalil combo, who worked wonders in the third quarter, as they escaped an almost deadlock scoring, sending the COF with a nine-point lead, 23-32, in their favor. 

However, Rasid, hoping to close the gap, released three-pointers for the Reapers, cutting the gap to two as the third quarter ended, 39-41.

COA’s Zari Macalangcom, with Rasid’s consistent contribution on the offensive end proved to be more than what the Anglers’ squad could handle, as the COF were not able to keep up to their pace amidst their efforts, to close the game with six, 58-52. 

Meanwhile in the women’s category, defending the throne once again, the School of Graduate Studies (SGS) Masters, with their exceptional floor control, were able to defeat the College of Engineering (COE) ASTEEGS, 46-43, afterwards.

The Masters immediately erupted with a bucket at the first quarter, leading by up to four after Jeycel Esnardo’s free throws, 12-8, as the quarter finished.

Rubie Rubio of SGS showed up in the second quarter, with her excellent court vision and ball touch, sending the lead to nine, 26-17.

Securing the momentum to their favor, the Masters managed to withstand the ASTEEGS’ late quarter rally, unbothered by the former champions' dominance, winning 46-43, claiming the game’s title.