Medel NHS scores back-to-back wins in UNBL

Luisa Medal National High School (LMNHS) scored back to back victories last Sunday in the 1st United Negros Basketball League (UNBL) 2023 at the Tay Tung High School (TTHS) covered court.

LMNHS hold off the rally by TTHS Team B, 37-36.

LMNHS led at the break 25-16 courtesy of the balance offense by Jester Paypa, Areño and Micko John Villarosa Eras with 6 points each.

The LMNHS offense sputtered in the 2nd half as they only scored 12 points, TTHS Team B pounced on this and almost succeeded but fell short as the defense of LMNHS held on for the win.

Paypa and Villarosa each delivered 10 points. while Miel Billones had 8 and Shane Julian 7 point. for BTTHS Team B.

Later in the afternoon LMNHS rallied from a double digit deficit to stun St. John’s Institute (SJI) B 72-71.

It was a sorry loss for SJI Team B as they were comfortably ahead by double digits with less than 4 minutes remaining but 3 rainbow connection by LMNHS plus the SJI Team B was hounded by turnovers and free throw misses.

LMHS took a 3-point lead with 46 second. left on a Paypa triple and a breakway laup. SJI Team B was able to muster 2-4 free throws , but the rally fell short as they committed a turnover with 4 seconds left to hand LMNHS its 2nd win in 3 starts.

LMNHS mentored by Yan Yan Yasa was led by Paypa with 25 points, backstopped by Zelrey Lamela with 10 points and Villarosa finished with 8 point. Jacob Gabriel Javelosa finished with 17 points and Tedd Christian Poblacion with 16 points for SJI Team B.

Meanwhile, TTHS Team A kept pace with SJI Team A atop Bracket B at 3-0 with a victory against University of Negros-Recoletos and Bata National High School (BNHS).

University of St. La Salle (USLS) foiled the challenge of Bacolod City National High School (BCNHS) 57-48 to improved to 3-0 in Bracket A .

USLS led at the half 27-25 behind a balance offense led by John Carl Lamonte and leou Jamiel leonero with 7 and 6 markers respectively while Cyril Gil Salumag had 11 points for BCNHS.

The game continue to remain close with still USLS on top, but 7-0 end of quarter run push the lead to double digit 47-36 as Luis Andre Lirazan and John Troy Newman combined for 13 points.

BCNHS outscored USLS in the 4th quarter but it was not enough to overhaul the lead as they can only cut the deficit to 6 points for USLS 3rd victory in as many start.

Coach Leny Rose Pillo won in the battle of spouses leading BNHS over her husband Coach Phoenix WIlart Pillo of Domingo Lacson National High School, 58-47.

STI-West Negros University improved to 2-0 with an emphatic victory over SJI Team B. La Consolacion College got its first win at expense of Trinity Christian School, 46-33, while Colegio De San Agustin-Bacolod also barged to the win column against St. Rose of Lima School.* (Cyrus M. Garde)