By Jun Rana
Team Wedge rode on a strong start and on the deadly trio of Joshua Marasigan, RJ Buzon and Jake Cortez who combined for 37 points to topple Ballersvile, 49-41 in Day 1 of the PAAD Palaro Basketball Tournament – Open Division in Hockessin, Delaware.
Wedge, a combination of players from Maryland and Pennsylvania was locked in a tight battle with Ballersville of Delaware in the early going. Early baskets by Jet Deleste and Alex Garcia enabled Ballersville to take an early 7-6 lead. Buzon however answered with a three point shot to give the lead to Wedge, 9-7. That shot sparked an 11-3 run triggered by Cortez and Marasigan, to pad the lead to 20-10, time down to 4 minutes in the first half. Ballersville however finished the half strong, as Deleste, Herb Monsalud, Andrew Ronde, Carl Saquing and Lex Vergara answered with a 7-2 burst to cut the deficit to 5, 22-17 at the end of the half.
At the beginning of the second half, Wedge led by Marasigan’s strong inside plays inside the painted area, dropped an 11-6 bomb to take an 11 point lead, 33-22 with time down to 14 minutes in the second half. From this juncture, Ballersville shooting went sour as Wedge coached by Paul Micarsos tightened its defense. With meager resistance from Deleste, Ben Wu, Monsalud and Sonny De La Torre of Ballersville, Team Wedge with the hot shooting of Marasigan, RJ Buzon and Chris Balan further increased the lead to 43-29, time down to three minutes in the game.
Ballersville with playing coach Monsalud, did not throw the towel just yet. Ben Wu, his last basket coming on a three point shot, triggered a 7-0 run in a span of one and half minute to put Ballersville back into the game as it reduced the Wedge lead to 43-36. Dave Setters and Marasigan however came roaring with two crucial lay ups to seal the win, 47-36 with only 25 seconds remaining. Hoping for a miracle win, De La Torre of Ballersville hit a three point shot, to cut the lead to 47-39, but with only 10 seconds remaining. Cortez then quickly hit a jumper making it 49-39 for Wedge. Wu’s last two free throws for Ballersville made the final score, 49-41 Wedge over Ballersville.
Box Scores:
49 - Wedge: Joshua Marasigan, 17; Jake Cortez, 12; RJ Buzon, 10; Chris Balan, 4; Dave Setters, 2; BJ Advento, 2; Brian, 2; Marlowe Ulit, 0; Karl Malicdem, 0; Jones Salpan, 0; El Campos, 0; Joe Tanseco, 0; Kenneth Savella, 0
41 - Ballersville: Ben Wu, 10; Jet Deleste, 9; Sonny De La Torre, 6; Herb Monsalud, 6; Alex Garcia, 4; Andrew Ronde, 4; Lex Vergara, 1; Carl Saquing, 1; Doc Mel Madarang, 0
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