Once again setting foot on the PCYAA battlefield after a two-year hiatus, the New Lifers have suffered two tough losses to open their season.
The MGC New Life (MGCNL) high school basketball team suffered back-to-back defeats in their Philippine Ching Yuen Athletic Association (PCYAA) season 10 debut weekend against Xavier School (XS) and Jubilee Christian Academy (JCA) last November 26 and 27.
The giants of Xavier School overcame the New Lifers with scores 52-96 while the team of Jubilee went through with the win by 53-64.
Despite the tough losses they faced in their first two games, Coach John Sia says, “We’re not looking for results right now; you have to understand that we are a young team, with an average age of about 15, going against older more experienced teams with 18-year-olds. Of course[,] we do not want to lose, but we are looking for improvements and progression in the way we play. I always tell my players that the small things become big when we don’t do them. Right now, I am seeing glimpses of growing confidence in my players, and we are looking forward to what’s to come in the next few years.”
MGCNL vs XS Recap
NOVEMBER 26 – In their first game of the season, the New Lifers were placed in a tough matchup against the Golden Stallions, who had already started the season off with a spotless record of 3-0. Before the tipoff, it was evident that the height and size advantage was not on the New Lifer’s side, with the final score being 52-96, a convincing 44-point win by Xavier.
XS wasted no time and went straight into business, draining a momentum-gaining three, in the first ten seconds of the opening quarter. MGCNL answered back with two jump shots by Trey Chua and Karl Yue, and a three-pointer by Adrian Tan.
MGCNL had their sole lead of the game at 7-6 before XS held them to only ten total points in the first quarter.
For the rest of the game, XS was in the driver's seat, setting the pace of the game to their advantage while slowly increasing their lead.
The New Lifers struggled against the much larger XS team, as the Golden Stallions put on a defensive showcase with 20 steals and eight blocks. Aside from their defensive strength, XS was able to convert 28 points off turnovers by the New Lifers, and 20 fastbreak points. The New Lifers suffered a tough loss down 96-52 at the end of the game.
MGCNL vs JCA Recap
NOVEMBER 27 – Following a tough loss in their debut against XS, the New Lifers regrouped and set their sights forward to their matchup against the pesky players of JCA.
In their recent matchup in the Chachago Invitational Basketball League (CIBL), JCA edged the New Lifers by two points at 63-61. The New Lifers headed into the game with high hopes of redeeming themselves for their previous matchup and loss to XS. Fresh off a 100-47 demolition, JCA had all the momentum heading into the matchup against the New Lifers.
Despite their efforts, the New Lifers’ redemption attempt was put to an end by JCA, with the final score being 53-64.
In the opening quarter, JCA wasted no time and scored an early two-pointer to open the game. The New Lifers quickly answered back behind a 2-pointer from Nathan Lo.
JCA got into their form as quickly as possible and created problems for the New Lifers.
After the only deadlock of the game, at 2-2, JCA went on a 20-4 run to end the first quarter with a comfortable lead of 22-6.
As the second quarter started, JCA continued where they left off, opening the quarter with two threes, in under a minute, before MGCNL’s Yue answered back with a three of his own. The New Lifers went back and forth with JCA, trading shots, until the quarter ended with JCA up by 17, at 37-20.
Heading into the halftime break, Coach John Sia urged the players to keep on playing and fighting. He urged the players to regain their composure and catch up with the twenty minutes of playing time remaining.
Despite their best efforts to jump back into the ballgame, JCA remained in control, ending the third quarter up by 20, at 54-34.
Heading into the payoff quarter, the New Lifers had ten minutes to make a final push to get back in the game. With five minutes left in the ballgame, the New Lifers had still made no progress being down 58-37.
However, the New Lifers finally gained momentum after a three by Lucas Lo, fueling a smoking hot 19-6 run, to cut the lead down to seven, at 60-53.
Still, time was no longer on the New Lifers' side.
With less than a minute left to play, the New Lifers missed a couple of shots and were forced to foul the opposing team. JCA made 4-of-4 from the charity line and ended up winning the game at 64-53, avoiding a potential comeback from the New Lifers.
The New Lifers aim to bounce back in their five remaining games for the season. They have the Christmas break to regroup themselves and prepare for their games next year, against Grace Christian College, St. Stephen’s High School, Hope Christian Academy, Pace Academy, and Chiang Kai Shek College.
MGC - XS Scores:
MGCNL 52 – Tan A. 11, Uy 9, Sotingco 7, Lo L. 6, Lim 5, Chua T. 4, Qua 4, Yue 4, Cheng J. K. 1, Tan J. 1
XS 96 - Kua 18, Tan 15, Rodriguez 13, Ong 11, Dagdag 10, Yu Chua 8, Guevarra 6, Tiu 6, Dizon 5, Ang 2, Tan Climaco 2,
Quarters: 10-30, 28-59, 42-75, 52-96
MGC -JCA Scores:
JCA 64 – Tan R. 12, Uy 12, Bautista 11, Tan G. 8, Sio, M. 7, Sio, K. 6, Go 5, Paz 2, Co 1
MGCNL 53 – Uy 15, Yue 14, Lo L. 5, Chua T. 4, Qua 4, Hui 3, Lim 3, Lo, N. 2, Tan J. 2, Tan A. 1
Quarters: 22-6, 37-20, 54-34, 64-53
Comments