By Maria Azela D. Tabladillo

A SLAMDUNK TO VICTORY: Basketball players from TEAM CBAHM proudly hold their trophies after winning the final match against TEAM CRIM during the celebration of Festival of Talents 2022.

Serving the Festival of Talents 2022 of Our Lady of the Pillar College-Cauayan (OLPC-C), the twice-to-beat College of Business Administration and Hospitality Management (CBAHM) waved their flag after winning the championship game against the College of Criminology (CRIM) on the Men’s Basketball game held at the OLPCC Basketball Court A last October 22 with a score of 74-69.

During the first quarter, an overflowing of eight fouls committed by the team CBAHM resulted in a penalty call out and more free throws to CRIM ending the quarter with a 2-point lead. The first basket of the game is not an easy 2-point but a free throw, the result of CBAHM’s first team foul, 15-17. The CRIM didn’t budge as CBAHM nearly grabbed the pointing advantage during the second quarter. Nevertheless, free throws in favor of the CRIM made them the leading team, ending the quarter with a 1-point lead, 29-30 score.

However, in the third quarter team CBAHM was careful as they did not give CRIM the advantage as much as the free throws in the past quarters. Instead, the table was turned, ending the quarter with CBAHM’s six-point lead having the largest points advantage of the game – 48-42. – which the team garnered due to the penalty to the CRIM.

As the final quarter started, CBAHM made a technique and tried to destroy CRIM’s momentum on playing by calling a time-out every time the points advantage is close, to preserve their lead. Not more than one-minute remain and the basketball team of CRIM lose hope of snatching the champ as CBAHM continues on scoring. CRIM caught up but the time is not enough to tie with the score nor take the lead, the game ended with a score of 74-69.

Knowing CBAHM’s advantage as twice-to-beat, they still didn’t give CRIM any chance to snatch the champ. CBAHM brings home a trophy and a gold medal in becoming the champion in the Men’s Basketball game followed by their closest opponent, CRIM, who received a trophy and a silver medal, and the College of Nursing and Midwifery (CNM) who also received a trophy and a bronze medal. At the same time, Christ Jay C. Singson proved his worth and was awarded a trophy and a gold for becoming this year’s MVP in Men’s Basketball.