By Reyan Ashlei Llagas
Photos by: Gio Aaron De Guzman
Basketball (5×5)
The first day of the Urdaneta City Private Schools Athletic Meet (UCPSAM) was held on October 10, 2024, featuring a game between International Colleges for Excellence, Inc. (ICE) and Divine Word College of Urdaneta, Inc. (DWCU) in the third matchup of the preliminaries for the Secondary Basketball Boys (5 x 5) competition. It was an exciting and unpredictable match, though it gradually became clear which school would win as the game progressed.
The matchup began with DWCU inadvertently contributing to ICE’s first two points, as a player scored in the wrong basket. After DWCU managed to score four points, the game came to a standstill, with no changes in the score for a while due to various violations. At this point, the score was 2-4. After a quick timeout, the rhythm returned, and both sides scored consecutively. However, the game was soon interrupted by the weather and had to be postponed, with the current score at 10-8 in favor of ICE. Players and spectators used this time to eat and take a break before the game resumed an hour later.
DWCU took the lead over ICE after scoring three shots in a row. Following this, ICE remarkably scored 15 consecutive points (including free throws), gaining a significant lead over DWCU, with the score at 25-14 by the end of the second quarter. Both teams kept close tabs on each other, exchanging scores, but ICE maintained their lead, gradually widening the gap between the two schools. ICE ultimately won the game against DWCU with a final score of 63-46, maintaining a strong lead throughout and winning by 17 points.
The day after, on the second day of UCPSAM, ICE played against DGMHS in the second round of the Secondary Boys Basketball (5 x 5). Both schools had won their earlier matchups, with DGMHS winning decisively against their previous competitor. Despite this, the determined athletes of ICE didn’t give up and accepted the challenge.
ICE had a solid lead against DGMHS in the first three quarters of the game, with a point difference of 5 to 14. The two teams appeared to be evenly matched, with ICE having the slight upper hand. The ICE team featured a range of talented players, each with their own unique abilities and specialties, making it easy for them to unite and play as one. The combined efforts of every single person on the team contributed to their good lead against their opponent. However, DGMHS employed a promising strategy and demonstrated strong teamwork, especially in blocking, allowing them to catch up soon.
Around the start of the fourth quarter, ICE led 52-46, but DGMHS turned the tables and tied the game. They then took the lead, but ICE managed to tie it again with a free throw after some struggle. Tension filled the audience as the scores remained tied, with missed shots and fouls adding to the game’s intensity. Breaking the stalemate was a free throw by Merculio, followed by a free throw and a field goal by DGMHS. Fortunately, Bariring was able to shoot for a tie at the last minute, resulting in a 5-minute overtime. The crowd was on the edge of their seats, with cheers from both schools overlapping each other. Both teams continued to battle until the last two free throws by Peralta and Maro broke the tie. With just under a minute left, DGMHS’s efforts to catch up proved futile, leading to another victory for ICE by a close margin of 2, with the final score being 65-63.
This round displayed a great deal of perseverance and skill among the players as they fought hard until the end. Despite the numerous technical fouls earlier and the taunting comments from both sides of the crowd, the players remained humble, showcasing the value of sportsmanship and the true meaning of competition.
On the third and final day of UCPSAM, the semifinals of the Secondary Boys Basketball (5 x 5) featured a matchup between ICE and Panpacific University North Philippines (PUNP). The latter team boasted an impressive lineup, featuring physically imposing players with tall statures and strong builds. Coupled with PUNP’s well-known rigorous training, they presented a formidable challenge for ICE. The game started with low spirits as PUNP charged ahead of ICE, preventing them from scoring any points. ICE was not at the top of their game that day, and even their free throws were off. PUNP seemed to breeze through this round without any problems. ICE’s first 2 points came from a free throw in the first quarter, which sparked a glimmer of hope among the players and the audience. However, that hope was short-lived; PUNP kept blocking the basket and stealing the ball from ICE, rendering the latter unable to score, although there were some close shots that kept the audience on edge. The fast reflexes and tall stature of PUNP’s players made it easy for them to intercept the ball and prevent ICE from scoring. This led to a score of 5-37 in favor of PUNP at the end of the second quarter. It looked like it was over for ICE until they changed courts. Suddenly, they regained their momentum in the later quarters. Their improved gameplay helped them end the third quarter with a score of 15-55. Unfortunately, it was not enough to catch up, as PUNP continued to score consecutively, leaving ICE with little room to shoot. Despite the circumstances, the students and teachers of ICE continued to cheer for the players, boosting their morale. ICE put up a good fight, but the odds were sadly against them. The game ended with a staggering 61-point difference, with the final score being 23-84, marking the end of ICE’s battle in the Secondary Basketball Boys (5 x 5) of UCPSAM 2024.
Basketball (3×3)
The Secondary Boys Basketball (3 x 3) was a 10-minute game held on the second day of UCPSAM on October 11, 2024. ICE faced off against Luzon College of Science and Technology (LCST) in the first round. The small number of players highlighted the importance of teamwork in 3 x 3 basketball. Everyone gave their best under the scorching heat of the sun, and it was worth it. In the first matchup, ICE triumphed over LCST, who managed to score only one basket, allowing ICE to advance to the next round.
October 12, 2024, was the last day of UCPSAM, and the first basketball game of the day was the finals of the Secondary Basketball Boys (3 x 3), featuring ICE against DGMHS. The round began with a mishap, as only three players from ICE were wearing proper uniforms, and there weren’t enough for a substitute. However, this issue was resolved quickly. The court was also rather slippery, causing players from both teams to occasionally slip; at one point, this even led to a steal of the ball from ICE to DGMHS. ICE and DGMHS were neck and neck, making it difficult to predict the winner, but DGMHS managed to score. With just a few seconds left, ICE lost with a score of 7-8 in favor of DGMHS.
They played again to establish the final ranking, as each team had to win or lose twice. ICE suffered another defeat against DGMHS, losing by just one point with a final score of 12-11, which awarded the bronze medal to ICE.