ITAAS Puts on Masterful Show on Noypi Basketball Summer League in Hong Kong

Tsing Yi Sports Centre (HK) August 1, 2007

That was a masterful performance from Francis Itaas (jersey no. 88) last Wed night @ Tsing Yi Sports Centre. No other way to put it. Itaas put the RFC team on his back, simplified the game offensively for his teammates and himself, and allowed RFC’s stellar defense to take care of the rest. Itaas ability to make life easier on himself
and his teammates offensively cannot be overstated. He attacked the defense on top of the key, with a few fakes and pivotal move, and had the Acciona defense on its heels more than it liked.

Francis Itaas was unanimously voted as the MVP of this game. Francis Itaas scored 40 points and teamed with Bel Lorenzo to lead a big third quarter spurt as the RFC beat the Acciona team 77 – 70. Bel Lorenzo (jersey no. 9)
added 13 points who made consecutive 3 pointers in the third and fourth quarter for the RFC team before Acciona tried to make a comeback.

“We just wanted to crowd the ball better. That’s something that has been our emphasis; slash at the ball when we have the opportunity. We anticipated the passing lanes pretty well.” Coach Allan Henson said.

Rookie guard Eric Goyena contributed 8 points, veteran center Willy Fuentes and playmaker Marlon Clavio with 5 points a piece. And two points each for Jun Evangelista, Jack Catacutan and John Magboo.

Acciona team loosing the services of 3-point specialist Fernan Hung and veteran forward Ryan Varquez relied heavily on their rookie forward Jinno Reyes who scored 23 points, veteran center Jay Yap and power forward Dante Antipuesto both scored 10 points a piece and off guard Jon Jon Angeles added 8 points. Itaas scored 16 points in the third quarter alone hitting 3 consecutive 3 pointers in RFC’s run and ending the period with 7 points lead 49-42. In the beginning of the 4th quarter Acciona tried to make a comeback with consecutive layups from Jinno Reyes. But Bell Lorenzo answered with back to back 3 –pointers to put RFC ahead 54-44 with 8:17 minutes remaining in the 4th quarter.

“Our chemistry has started coming back,” Itaas said. Jinno Reyes and Jay Yap with his rebounding and assists helped the Acciona make a fourth quarter comeback attempt that ultimately fell short. They hit consecutive 3-pointers with under a minute to go that cut down the lead to 76-70. But with time expiring Eric Goyena was fouled and split the charity shot to make it 77-70.

Contributed by Ralph De Castro