In a game that will go down as an all-time classic in the national championship for high schools, St. Augustine Institute-Pampanga leaned on the heroics of seldom-used guard Brianne Angeles to stun Lyceum-Cavite, 91-90, in the Chooks-to-Go NBTC League Div. 2 National Finals, presented by SM on Sunday at SM Mall of Asia Arena.
This was the perfect reboot for the program ran by Allan Trinidad after they incurred a three-year suspension from the league for not attending the tournament’s closing ceremony back in 2016.
“Pinakita nilang hindi lang teams sa Manila pwedeng manalo rito. We are from the province, may karapatan din kaming manalo,” declared Trinidad. St. Augustine had to outlast Zamboanga del Sur NHS-Pagadian, First City Providential College-Bulacan, and Proudly Pinoy-Italy to get to this point.
But their victory in this tournament would not have been possible without Angeles.
With just 10 seconds left, and the Kapampangans rallying back from 13 down to slice the lead to just one, Jacob Delfino – who had 16 points in the game – fouled out of the contest. Replacing him was Angeles, who had yet to play a single minute in the contest.
“Kailangan ko shooter kaya siya yung tinawag ko,” said Trinidad.
After Gyle Montano split his charities to give the Junior Pirates a two-point cushion, Angeles raced the whole length of the court as the St. Augustine had no timeouts left. Luckily for him, he was able to draw a foul from Montano that sent him to the stripe.
Angeles made his first free throw but missed his second.
However, Lyceum big man Jae Omandac could not seal Angeles out, which led to an offensive rebound. Calm under pressure, Angeles took his time before knocking down a short stab with a second to spare.
“Actually, kahit lamang yung kalaban, sinasabi namin, don’t give up until final buzzer. Talagang nagpakahirap sila until the final buzzer,” expressed Trinidad.
A downcast Omandac threw a wayward inbound afterwards, that completed the Kapampangans’ stunner.
Jiam Quiambao, the Div. 2 Finals Most Valuable Player, fouled out with 1:53 left but finished with 28 points and 11 rebounds.
Defensive Player of the Tournament Jolo Manansala also added eight points and a whopping 20 boards.
Omandac led Lyceum with 22 points. John Barba and Montano both tallied double-doubles, with the former finishing with 18 points and 12 rebounds and the latter putting up 14 points and 17 rebounds.
Joining Quiambao in the All-NBTC Div. 2 team were Guadana, Barba, Holy Trinity College-General Santos’ Ednor Akad, and Proudly Pinoy’s Chiolo Anonuevo.
The tournament is backed by Chooks-to-Go, Darlington-Exped Socks, EPSON, Huawei, Freego, Purefoods, Gatorade, Go for Gold, SM, Molten and also presented by 5 Plus and Lighthouse Events.
The Scores:
St. Augustine 91 — Quiambao 28, Delfino 16, Ferreras 15, Nicdao 15, Manansala 8, Lumba 4, Angeles 3, Miclat 2, Lustina 0, Sison 0.
Lyceum 90 — Omandac 22, Barba 18, Montano 14, Guadana 12, Tulabut 8, Nocal 8, Cuevas 3, Figueroa 3, Dejelo 2, Gudmalin 0, Clemente 0, Ragasa 0.
Quarterscores: 19-17, 39-42, 61-72, 91-90.
