Controllers fall after a valiant effort
Oct 21st 2007 I KAMPI Liga: Crison Controllers 70 - 75 Jireh International

The Controllers pushed the defending champs to the limit in the second half but fell short. Jireh International leaned on one of three former Filipino Professional players, Center Jun Carmona who had a massive game with several post plays and rebounds.

Jireh fielded a their strongest side of the season in fielding ex-PBL Guard Ruel Bravo (straight back from a serious injury) and ex San Miguel guard Mike Mustre, not to forget the 6'4" presence of another former ex-PBA center in Jun Carmona.

The Controllers were already undermanned with the loss of several key players missing, starting guards Banj Abeleda and Clive Castillo and utility man Delfin manolos and starlet JJ Salonga. all had English league duties. The Controllers had to reshuffle unexpectedly. Veteran point guard Jonathan East and power forward Ysmael Cruz returned to the Crison side, and started. Coach Nestor Pedua was also absent from the game.

Ex-Red Bull Barako Jun Carmona took advatage of height mismatches on his way to a 20-point first half on several bank shots and lay ins from the post. Controllers Forward Chris East managed to hold his own and had a solid first half.
 
The game started very slow paced and looked lathargic on both ends of the floor it looked as though to suited Jireh International's game plan for down the stretch.

The Controllers managed to hold their own despite their thinner rotation and managed to keep Jireh International within 11 points at the half.

The Crison Controllers received a boost at half time as guard Banj Abeleda came onto the floor before the tip off of the second half. He just came off a excellent performance for the Omega Mens in the National Cup vs Westminister Warriors earlier in the morning. Captain Banj Abeleda entered the game after Justice Cacho picked up his third personal.

The story of the second half was the same as the first, Jun Carmona managed to keep up his stellar play from the first half and the experienced champions managed to put the Controllers into foul trouble and drained most of their free throws. Forwards Ryan Abeleda, Chris East and Jeremy Galman found it a huge task to stop Jirehs center Jun Carmona, as he continued to use his height advantage to his full advantage.

However despite Carmona's play, the Controllers surged and went on a run and rattled the champs. Guard Jeffrey Galman hit a clutch 3 with 14 seconds remaining to brign the score to 73-70, however a lapse in defense led to a fast break layout on the other end of the court. This cost Controllers in the end despite a valliant, Controllers eventually fell short with the final score being 75-70. Chris East led all scorers for Crison Controllers with a 19 point game.

Jirehs MVP Bravos hugely anticipated comeback was not as big as fans thought it would be. Guards Mustre and Bravos contribution was somewhat minimal as it was overshadowed by Carmonas 30 + point gane wit his post play and consistent shooting.

"It's a shame the circumstances we had to play in" said Banj Abeleda "If we had our full squad for the whole game I am confident we would have taken this one".

With his recent run of below-average performances for, Guard Jeffrey Galman stated before the game it was time to "step-up" and he did."I tried. I wanted the ball, those are the shots I kno I will make. (Talking about his three at the end to close it to within 3 points)" Shooting guard Jeffrey Galman added after the game.

"We've just got to pick ourselves up and look forward to the next one" said Captain Ryan Abeleda.

The Controllers will now look to get their playoff bid back on track when they face another team from last years final Dream Team (5-2) when they meet Sunday 28th October 2007, at 10.10am.