The Trojans and the Spartans tied eleven times on Friday night in Stevenage before the Trojans finally broke away, scoring ten unanswered points in the fourth quarter to win 69-59 in the 35+ Division.
Edwin Arcos scored twenty two points for the Trojans, eleven in the fourth quarter and seven of them inside the run that decided it. Neither side led by more than five until the closing minutes.
How It Happened
First quarter, Spartans 16-12. Sherwin Macale opened the scoring and the lead changed hands through the opening minutes, Bobby Hatague and Hansel Judilla scoring for the Spartans before Arcos put the Trojans in front with two baskets and Geoffrey Bok Pineda added a free throw for 5-8. Dellwin Pulgado and Judilla brought the Spartans level, and Kevin Gamotin closed the quarter with three of the last four baskets to lead by four.
Second quarter, Trojans 15-10. Dwaine Patiak stretched the Spartans' lead to 21-16, their biggest of the half, and the Trojans answered with nine in a row. Macale scored a basket then a three, Pineda scored inside and John Ryan Paralejas finished the run to turn it round at 21-25. Nowii Aljas scored twice, the second a three on the buzzer, to leave the Spartans one behind at 26-27 at half time.
Third quarter, Trojans 17-15. The closest quarter of the night. The scores were level at 29, 31, 33, 35 and 37, Patiak hitting a three and Hatague, Judilla and Gamotin trading baskets with Arcos and Tom Ryan Coyoca. Coyoca scored seven in the period and Bruce Torres pushed the Trojans five clear at 39-44, their biggest lead to that point. Two Hatague free throws made it 41-44 going into the fourth.
Fourth quarter, Trojans 25-18. Robert Oneza's three tied the game at 46-46 and that was the Spartans' last level. Macale scored a basket and a three either side of a Coyoca basket for 46-53, and although Hatague and three Gamotin free throws brought it back to 51-53, the Trojans then scored ten without reply. Arcos took seven of them on his own and Toti Patawaran added a three for 51-63. The Spartans scored eight of the last twelve but never got within seven again.
Leaders
Trojans: Edwin Arcos 22 points (eleven in the fourth quarter), Sherwin Macale 14 (two threes), Tom Ryan Coyoca 13, Geoffrey Bok Pineda 5, John Ryan Paralejas 4, Michael Lasquite 4, Toti Patawaran 3, Politico Corporal 2, Bruce Torres 2. Nine Trojans scored.
Spartans: Bobby Hatague 17 points, Hansel Judilla 13, Kevin Gamotin 13, Dwaine Patiak 5 (one three), Nowii Aljas 5 (one three), Robert Oneza 3 (one three).
Notes
- Eleven ties and six lead changes. Neither side led by more than five until the fourth quarter.
- The game was level at 46-46 early in the fourth. The Spartans did not lead again.
- The 10-0 run from 51-53 to 51-63 decided it. Arcos scored seven of those ten.
- Kevin Gamotin made three free throws in a row to cut it to 51-53 before the run.
- Fouls: Trojans 13, Spartans 11.
Up Next
The Spartans face Sigma on Friday 9 October at 7:30 PM. The Trojans play Luton Eagles on Friday 16 October at 8:45 PM. Full box score on the game stats page, standings on the results page.