Haribons clinch Bronze at YMCA Sports Fest

With a tough defensive effort, the PLM Haribons basketball team secured third place, overpowering the PHILSCA basketball team, 88-62, at the YMCA Sports Fest last March 30 held at the YMCA Basketball Court in Manila. 

Justine Andres led the Haribons in scoring with 14 points, followed by Julius Caguia with 12 points. Team captain Christian Laher, alongside George Craw, tallying 11 points and 3 steals each, aided the team on both the offensive and defensive ends.

“Sabi ni coach na doon namin makukuha ang panalo sa mahigpit na depensa, kasi yung opensa nandiyan lang naman, madali lang naman makakuha ng bola. ‘Yung depensa talaga ang nagpapanalo sa araw na ’to,” team captain Laher explained when asked about their game strategy. 

Haribons head coach Dionell de Leon added that defense is their key to execute easy offensive plays: ”Kasi sa defense, walang malas, kung mamalasin players ko sa shooting, pero sa depensa kasi walang malas. So kapag nag-effort sila sa defense, sigurado makaka-run kami nang maayos, makakatakbo kami nang maayos, makaka-convert kami sa fastbreak, which is nangyari ngayon.”

Haribons started hot in the first quarter with a three-pointer by Laher. Haribons maintained their momentum on offense, with Laher making two consecutive steals at the end of the quarter, 19-15.

Starting strong up to the second quarter, Haribons stood the higher ground, executing full-court team defense and knocking down three-pointers, which made the PHILSCA score only with a total of 8 points, widening the gap at the end of halftime, 43-23.

The lead margin increased in the third quarter by 69-40, as the Haribons’ controlled both ends of the court, with Vince-ceth Espiritu’s six points and a steal that stopped the attempted fastbreak of the opponent team.

In the last quarter of the game, Haribons maintained their intensity to secure their win, 88-62.

“Nagpapasalamat kami unang-una kay Lord, kay coach na gumagabay sa amin, and sa teammates ko, dahil sa pagtutulungan namin, sa mahigpit naming depensa, nakuha namin ang panalo— sa PLM sa opportunity na ibinigay niyo sa amin. Thank you po sa suporta,” Laher added.

Before clinching third place, the Haribons lost to NTC in the semifinal round the day before, 76-65.