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Bacoor Blades: The Week That Was

The following are the events that took place during the latter part of last week in the campaign of the Bacoor Blades:

Blades win first tournament assignment

National Tournament Game
Bacoor Blades vs. Darkyoya

The Blades were able to shake off a rugged start to upend Darkyoya last August 30, 120-76. Despite fielding in only five players, they totally outmatched an overwhelmed side from Division V. Iliya Dimov led the Blades that game with 44 points, while the other four players fielded in, Eugenio Genco, Laurence Lacambra, Tim Puckett and Eladio Martin churned out double-double efforts for the Blades' cause

The Blades will face Ilonggo kings in their next assignment in the National Tournament.

Blades ship Peregil to Spanish team

Season Transfer Market

Utak Peregil, one of the Blades' key contributors last season as a rookie in their dominant run, has been agreed upon to transfer to the New York Nikes, a Spanish ballclub for $12000. Team manager TheDogMan cited cost-cutting and training time reasons for the bigman's transfer.

"We had to clear space in order for our rookie Laurence Lacambra, to be able to develop. Utak was a tremendous prospect nonetheless, and we hope that his new manager would be able to continue what we started with him. Just like what we wanted to do with Gustavo Canora."

Blades lose thriller at home

League Elimination Round Game
Tiger Prawns @ Bacoor Blades

Despite a glaring roster advantage, the Bacoor Blades lost to a more superior Tiger Prawns team. The opposing team fielded only five players, but despite the odds in the Blades' favor roster-wise, the lost in a thriller of a game, 92-89 at The Bacoor Forum.

The frontline of the Blades was virtually impeded as both Kelly Paul and rookie Laurence Lacambra were unable to contribute decently, combining for only 14 points and 12 rebounds before both men fouled out of the game.

Mark Hugos led the Blades with 28 points, while Pedro Horcasitas and Marcos Paulo Petry contributing 17 and 13 markers respectively.

The Blades remain winless in three games so far this season, as they face the Ninja School Dropouts in their next game.

Back at the Bottom

Season 21 Analysis: Bacoor Blades
The Holster Headquarters
17:48

At a glance, at the conclusion of last season, after a bittersweet plot that saw them perched on top of the League IV.6 food chain, eventually downed by The Blackout for the League title, a promotion to Division III would serve more than a worthy consolation prize for their efforts. One would think that they would be able to at least compete with the best of the higher division given what they did last season, when they bested the competition at least in the elimination round. It is after all, a tougher league.

But the Bacoor Blades are currently at the seventh spot in the Big 8 Conference of Division III.1. And by the looks of things, it's shaping to be just like the old days of the franchise, when they be walloped at any conceivable time.

"We had to prepare for this instance. It's an inevitable event for any franchise to go through these tough times." says team manager TheDogMan. "The team below us is forfeiting games by not fielding players. So basically, we are the cellar dwellers in out conference."

"It does not look good at first glance, but the team understood from day one that it was not going to be the same either if we stayed in Division IV or got promoted here." says team co-captain Kelly Paul.

"Maybe in the beginning, the eagerness to compete immediately came to our mind as a team. But the competition is just far more greater. So when we made up our minds, we focused on getting trained for seasons to come." TheDogMan further added.

This season, the Blades had to endure an eight-game losing skid before notching their first League win for the season. For the most part, the Blades National Tournament campaign was making up for the losses, as they, in turn, could vent out their frustrations on an inferior team in the earlier rounds. But when they lost in their 5th assignment in the knockout tournament, they had to work doubly hard to salvage a few more wins.

The Blades are currently holding a 4-14 win-loss record. They have four more assignments to their schedule, including their game today vs. Ninja School Dropouts at The Bacoor Forum.

Blades face Ball Crushers to fend off relegation

Best-of-Three Relegation Series
Bacoor Blades @ Ball Crushers
17:34

Although the playoffs are usually attached to the final eight contenders, or the top four teams for each conference, the two bottom teams from each conference would also have to duke it out to prevent relegation.

The Bacoor Blades are to face that same situation. And that is going to be the task at hand as they visit the Ball Crushers today. This is going to be Game 1 of their Best-of-Three Relegation series. The winner shall remain in Division III.1 while the loser shall be relegated to a Division IV League.

The Blades were only able to muster a 6-16 win-loss record this season, giving them a seventh-place finish in the Great 8 Conference in their maiden campaign as a Division III franchise. Although they have identical records with the Ball Crushers, the home team is seated sixth in the Big 8 Conference at the conclusion of the elimination round.

The only meeting between these two teams in the elimination round this season yielded a 102-75 decision in favor of the Blades at The Bacoor Forum, with Iliya Dimov leading the way with 25 points on 50% shooting.

"They know they're short-handed, so we should not underestimate their effort to try and win the game." said team manager TheDogMan, pertaining to the fact that their opponents are only 5-man deep.

The Blades are going to banner their Princeton offensive scheme to be led by co-captains Mark Louis Hugos and Kelly Paul, who have been the most hardworking duo for the franchise.

"Obviously, losing Insa was a big one. So we had to find within the team as to who was going to fill that void. Me and him had to work double time to try and do so." said the American Power Forward Paul.

"Ganun talaga. Gustuhin man naming mangyari ulit yung nagawa namin last season, kailangan naming magtrabaho." said Hugos, playing as the team's chief point guard.

The opposing side shall see the high-octane duo of double-double machine Ratomir Nikolić and league scoring leader Marvin Vincent Montano. The Ball Crushers. Nikolić norms about 18.5 ppg and 16.1 ppg for the Ball Crushers while Montano averages almost 35 ppg, aforementioned as the best in the league, with a 44% shooting clip.

"They will have to live and die with those two guys right there." says TheDogMan. "They sense the urgency to play hard in fron of their home crowd here in Game 1. So we have to double our efforts to stop them."

Blades stay put; forces Ball Crushers to relegation

Best-Of-Three Relegation Series
Bacoor Blades vs. Ball Crushers
The Bacoor Forum
7:52

It was not a season to remember, but they did not have to pay the ultimate price of leaving Division III as the Bacoor Blades trump a hapless Ball Crushers team in two games to force them to relegate down to Division IV.

The first victory, an 87-67 decision at big arena, both teams began slow as the first quarter ended with the Ball Crushers up, 14-12. Tides would turn though, as a combination of improved offensive efficiency and a decline in the Ball Crushers defensive stance would give the Blades the upper hand as they take the first half, 40-36. It was a steady climb from then on as the Blades slowly built their lead throughout the second half.

Iliya Dimov ended with 28 points on 10-21 shooting, including 6-12 from beyond the arc. He was backed up by Pedro Horcasitas' 19 markers and Kelly Paul's 17. Although Marvin Vincent Montano had 27 points and Ratomir Nikolić had his usual double-double numbers of 20 and 15, the rest of the team, which is severely short-handed, was shut down the rest of the game.

The second game, which was an 100-82 victory, saw the Blades dominate early, an extremely-efficient performance from Marcos Paulo Petry saw the Blades surge to a 22-point halftime lead, 58-36. They would not look back since then as they finished off their inter-conference rival to remain in the League for at least one more season.

Petry led the Blades with 34 points on 11-14 shooting, with three triples in as many tries, all in just 20 minutes of action. Dimov had 20, Paul had 17 and Horcasitas with 15. A scoring rampage by Montano typified his status as league scoring leader as he ended up with 47 markers, while his partner-in-crime Nikolić had 17 and 13. Both tried but impossible circumstances went their way as their very short rotation was exploited with Francis Cordova fouling out of Game 1 after 41 minutes and in Game 2 after just 18 minutes and Alexander Justin Merlene fouling out of Game 2 after 46 minutes.

"In the end, they just did not have any other player than those five." says team manager TheDogMan. "This is not an insult to their team but it would have been a whole different story if they had at least three more bench options."

"Needless to say, we did not want to come to these games overconfident, because regardless of the odds being in our favor, the fact that our stint in Division III is on the line was enough to motivate them to play hard."

"Besides, upsets can occur and we can't have that." TheDogMan concluded.

"We can at least put our worries of being relegated aside for at least one season. We can focus on improving as a team." says team co-captain Kelly Paul. "We got the job done. Kudos to the Ball Crushers, for despite the odds, they tried to compete and that is something respectable."

"Susunod na yung offseason at yung draft. Excited na kami na makapaghanda for next season." says Mark Louis Hugos, the other co-captain.

The Holster Feature: How It Went

Bacoor Blades Season 21 Review
13:01

Although dominance in a lower division does not always translate to the same performance upon promotion to a higher division, it is still quite bizarre that the Bacoor Blades, who were once heralded as a top-tier team in Division IV, ended up as doormats in Division III.

"It wasn't fun losing that many games again." said team manager TheDogMan. "We knew we will not be able to duplicate what we did last season. But this season was pretty hard for us as a team." he further added.

What the Blades top exec was referring to was their impeccable performance in Season 20, where they dominated League IV.6 with a 22-0 record after the elimination rounds en route to their first finals appearance in franchise history, where they were upended by The Blackout. Despite the finals loss though, they were able to receive a promotion to League III.1.

This season saw them suffer excruciating losses against tougher opponents, having to lose their first eight assignments before notching their first Division III victory over the Ball Crushers. It would be a roller-coaster ride from then on as wins would always be succeeded by losing streaks. And as the season ended, the Bacoor Blades tallied a 6-16 win-loss record, only good for seventh place in the Great 8 Conference.

In accordance to BB rules, the eighth placer would be meted with automatic relegation while the sixth and seventh seeds of both conferences will be cross-paired and compete in a best-of-three series to remain in the League. The Blades were paired with Big 8 Conference sixth seed Ball Crushers, whom the Blades defeated to notch their first win. The Blades would exploit their rival's very short rotation as Ball Crushers only had five players at their disposal. They would win the series via sweep to remain in the League for at least one more season.

Petry shines as Blades win thriller at home

League III.1
OTooth @ Bacoor Blades
The Bacoor Forum
December 11, 2012
21:58

No extra periods needed.

The Bacoor Blades, through Marcos Paulo Petry's hot hands, secure their second win of the young season with a thrilling come-from-behind win against OTooth, 72-70 at The Bacoor Forum.

Down 54-42 early in the fourth quarter, baskets from Pedro Horcasitas and Mark Louis Hugos ignited a 7-0 run that saw them come to within five, 54-49. This would instigate OTooth's barrage of their own as they established an 11-point lead capped off by a Simon Adam three-pointer with 3:40 remaining.

This is when Petry started going to work. He nailed a five straight points after Horcasitas got fouled and hit his two freebies that saw then creep back to within three, 65-62 with over two minutes remaining. Spektras Skaudenas would be fouled and make both of his free throws, but a basket underneath from Eugenio Genco and a three-pointer under duress from near half-court from Petry would tie the game at 67-all. Petry would ultimately give them their first taste of the lead at 70-67 after converting on a three-point play with 12 seconds remaining in the game. On the ensuing play, OTooth's Majarón Mínguez Tahona made a triple to force another deadlock at 70-all with 7 seconds remaining.

And just as the Blades were looking lost the play after, Marcos Paulo Petry was fouled by Allan Jeffrey Ragucos on the act of shooting. The crowd erupted as the 30-year old Brazilian calmly sank the two foul shots to punch the final score

After ending the first quarter down 25-11, the game had the makings of a third straight loss for the Bacoor five, as OTooth's Simon Adam and Morgan Paolillo torched the Blades early on. They tried to fight back in the second canto but all they could do was to cut the deficit to 11, 42-21 by the end of the first half. They would be able to turn their defensive game on, however, by the second half, limiting their counterparts to just 28 points from then on.

Petry ended up with 20 points on 7-11 shooting, while Horcasitas had 15. Co-captains Kelly Paul and Mark Louis Hugos had 14 and 11 points for the Blades respectively.

OTooth were led by Adam's 19 points, with Paolillo and Gu Joon Ming had 16 markers each.

When asked regarding his shot from near half-court, game hero Petry said, "It was as if I took that shot with divine intervention. I really wanted it to go in. Sometimes, basketball is also about luck."

"We did not want to let our fans down. It was a tough campaign last season, we want to compete better this time." said team co-captain Kelly Paul.

"Maganda na nagkaroon kami ng ganitong panalo. Nasubukan kami ng husto. Magandang karanasan 'to para sa aming lahat bilang grupo." said team co-captain Mark Louis Hugos.

The win will see them escape the relegation zone as they hold an even 2-2 win-loss record, good for 5th place in the Big 8 Conference. With the loss, OTooth goes down to 6th place with a 1-3 record.

Blades lose grip at the end; falls to Ninja School Dropouts

League III.1
Bacoor Blades @ Ninja School Dropouts
The Dojo
22:25

A baseline jumper from Kelly Paul with 3:27 remaining in the game would prove to be the last basket the Bacoor Blades would be able to make as they ultimately succumbed to league-leading Ninja School Dropouts, 90-87 at The Dojo.

At that point, the Blades were up 87-78, and they looked poised to hand the Dropouts their first loss of the season. Ultimately though, they home side went on a 12-0 run to close the game ignited by a Diego Sanz jumper on the ensuing play as they slowly crept back in the game. A basket from Vladimiro Barbagli took the lead away from the Blades at 88-87. Two free throws by Victoriano Maglangit punched the final tally.

The Blades had two chances to tie the game up. After calling a timeout with 19 seconds remaining, the Blades turn the ball over as Ferencas Dzarajevas managed to get the steal. Team co-captain Kelly Paul fouls Maglangit anew with 4 seconds remaining. Maglangit failed to make both of his charities which gave way to another Blades opportunity. After calling another timeout, the Blades were able to get a shot off, but Eladio Martin's three-pointer over Bing Reston missed the mark.

The game saw the Blades lead throughout its entirety, with Iliya Dimov beginning the strike during the first canto. A fightback attempted by the Dropouts would be weathered by the Blades as they were able to hold a slim 47-45 lead. It also saw one player from both sides unable to return to the game. Eugenio Genco and Evgeny Domarev, with Genco moving out during the second quarter and Domarev at the third. Both players suffered minor injuries that would still allow them to play their next assignments.

"It was a matter of defense in the end." says team manager TheDogMan. "We were able to keep them at bay even without Eugenio. But they figure it out by the second half of the fourth quarter." he continued.

"But I am proud of them, they were able to take on the league-leaders like that?! It's a sign of things to come."

"We were close to winning. A few defensive lapses and they were able to turn things around." said team co-captain Paul.

Dimov paced the Bacoor side with 22 points on 9-15 shooting, followed by Pedro Horcasitas with 17, Paul with 13 and Marcos Paulo Petry with 11.

The home side were led by Dzarajevas's 21, followed by Domarev's 19, Simeón Bertoa with 18 and 18 rebounds and Barbagli with 14 to go along with 14 rebounds. Dropouts played without Indonesian Roni Arfan, who is in the injury list for at least one more week.

The loss sees the Blades climb down to sixth place in the Big 8 Conference with a 2-3 record, while the Ninja School Dropouts remain spotless in five assignments

For more information on the game, go to http://www.buzzerbeater.com/match/53054274/boxscore.aspx

Blades get trumped at home

CleMeNZas Spaghetti Sauce @ Bacoor Blades
The Bacoor Forum
20:01

The Bacoor Blades lose their second straight after failing to keep pace with Big 8 #2 seed CleMeNZas Spaghetti Sauce, ultimately getting downed, 98-79 at The Bacoor Forum.

It was the close game at the first quarter, with the the visitors leading by only one, 24-23. A methodical breakdown of the Blades' defense ensued from the second quarter on that culminated on a third quarter storm that blew the game away as they only allowed the Blades to score 13 points for the period. They would continue to hang on to their big lead until the final buzzer without allowing a possible comeback from the home side.

Dingdong Dominic Velasco led the charge from CleMeNZas with 30 points, five rebounds and six assists. He is backed by Jun Wesley Sorongon's 23 points and five assists. Elviro Ching notched a double-double for them with 17 points and 13 rebounds.

The Blades were led by Iliya Dimov's 22 points followed by Kelly Paul's double-double of his own with 14 points and 14 rebounds. Eugenio Genco only scored 9 points but grabbed 10 rebounds for the Bacoor five.

"We knew that we were going to have a hard time dealing with a top-tier team like them. We got the impression that we could hang with the best of them with the way we performed against the (Ninja School) Dropouts. I guess this brought us back to earth." says team manager TheDogMan.

The Blades remain in sixth place with a 2-4 win-loss record. They were coming off an impressive performance on the road although falling short to league-leading Dropouts prior to meeting CleMeNZas. They will face Unstoppable Titans in their next league assignment.

for more info, go to http://www.buzzerbeater.com/match/53054283/boxscore.aspx