My thoughts about the Bataan Risers’ win over the Bulacan Kuyas

My thoughts about the Bataan Risers’ win over the Bulacan Kuyas

by rick olivares

The Bataan Risers grabbed their tenth win in 11 matches against the Bulacan Kuyas, 63-49, at the Bataan Peoples’ Center last October 23.

Here are my thoughts about that win.

Pamboy Raymundo is a game changer

Whether starting or coming off the bench, this savvy veteran is just what the doctor, or in this case, Bataan coach Jojo Lastimosa ordered. He came off the bench and hit some big shots that helped stabilize the game for the home side.

In an extended sequence, he scored on a reverse lay-up, assisted a teammate, challenged a Jerrick Cañada triple then grabbed the loose ball then scored again. How is that for doing everything?

Raymundo finished with 11 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists.

The Risers need to hit those medium range shots.

After Pamboy Raymundo and Byron Villarias, the other Risers really need to stick those wide-open jumpers. Gary David, Gio Espuelas, and even Alejandro at one point, were missing those shots. If they can hit them, they’d open up the floor and give their defense a breather (it can be taxing when you are getting stops but are unable to score).

Alfred Batino and Bernie Bregondo stood tall when Jeepy Faundo was off.

Faundo struggled with six rebounds and two points (missing even a two-handed stuff). However, matched against Bulacan’s JR Taganas, Batino gamely battled the Kuya’s big man (who is older than the Risers’ forward/center).

Batino tallied four points, grabbed six boards, two assists, and a block while Bregondo scored four points and grabbed three caroms in the last two minutes of the third period.

And that leads us to the next point… the last two minutes of the third period that gave Bataan a much-needed cushion vs the Kuyas.

It was a poor shooting day for both sides (38% for Bataan and 28% for Bulacan which missed at least seven close range shots during the game). At one point, the Risers seemed unable to build on a 12-point lead that was chopped down to single digits. A mad last two minutes during the third period where Bregondo, Robbie Celiz, and Jayjay Alejandro scored helped them take a 50-32 lead.

An unsung hero of this late charge is Vince Tolentino who aside from being able to play stingy defense, and score can find teammates. That was a totally unselfish pass to Alejandro for a layup. Tolentino didn’t score a ton of points as he finished with only four points, three assists, and one rebound, but he played quality minutes in a collective effort.

It is a good feeling for management and the coaching staff of the Bataan Risers that in the midst of this streak, the team selflessly plays and once more, with no player in the Top 10 of all the major statistical categories.

On to the next game… against the Pasay Voyagers on November 3, once more at Bataan.