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The Holster Feature: The Rivalry Part II Primer (Part III)

How they may fare now

If we were to base it solely on statistical data, most people may conclude that the Blades would edge the Berds Cage, then again, there are a lot of things to consider rather than the numbers these two teams mustered all throughout the season. First, obviously, is the fact that the first time these two teams met, the Blades barely escaped their rivals. Berds Cage was the team that was closest to beating them during the first round of the eliminations. Another thing that we must consider when these two teams meet again is the chemistry of the teams coming into this game. Now that the Blades have been able to get at least a few games under their belt since they transferred their two top centers Eckert and Cvanovas and acquired Eugenio Genco from the market, you can only expect them to perform better this time around. It is important to note that when the Blades fought Berds Cage the last time, it was already with this lineup in place. One concern for the Berds Cage is that when they faced the Blades last June 6, they had a different roster and has since changed personnel, although this concern is a very small one at best, since they have as well had a few games under their belt. Regardless of how Berds Cage fared this season as compared to Bacoor, it is impossible to count them out of the game that early, despite the statistical advantage for Bacoor, when they face their rivals, you can count that those numbers are out of the equation. Had it not been for that muffed attempt by Berds Cage at the buzzer of that fateful game the last time, it would have been a whole different scenario. Then again, the Blades know better and understand that these instances should not happen again. As for their rivals, Berds Cage, they go into this showdown knowing that they can beat the Blades.

A story of “Always the Bridesmaid”

The main protagonists for their respective teams in this eliminations round closer are undoubtedly the best players on their teams: Bacoor Blades’ Insa Saady and Berds Cage’s Gianmaria Caccamo.
Insa Saady had always been one of the most talented players this league has even seen. But even at the peak of his powers last season and two seasons ago, Saady is not able to come away with the League highest individual honor, both seasons of which were considered his better chances in winning the MVP plum. And the main reason is the presence of Gianmaria Caccamo, who had always shown his abilities on the court. Caccamo and Saady might not be the tightest of contenders for the trophy even in recent seasons, but it will be interesting things to see if which of the two are able to come away with the bragging rights over the other come Saturday.

Those are just some of the stats and stories that we are to feature in preparation for this much anticipated showdown.

Blades ends elimination round unbeaten

Berds Cage @ Bacoor Blades
The Bacoor Forum
22:54

The headline might tell the result, but the game spells otherwise.

The Bacoor Blades thwarted a late-game scare to defeat their archrivals, Berds Cage to end their elimination round undefeated, 111-101 in their much-awaited second showdown this season at The Bacoor Forum.

The Blades, knowing fully well about what happened to them the last time these two teams met, were able to execute better in the dying minutes, with Kelly Paul dishing out to a wide open Insa Saady for a slam with 1:57 left followed by an Utak Peregil putback off a Saady miss with 1:30 left before reigning MVP Gianmaria Caccamo would convert on a jumper to cut the deficit to 9, 104-95. Berds Cage would play the foul game from there. Two freethrows by Eladio Martin and a split from Gustavo Canora gave them a 12-point lead 107-95. Caccamo would try and rekindle his heroic attempt the last time out as he made a three pointer in the ensuing play, but free throws by Puckett and Iliya Dimov would pile the lead back up before Jude Mondoñedo would shoot another three that would eventually be their last hurrah as Kelly Paul would split from the line for the final margin of victory.

Mondoñedo led all scorers in the game with 38 points, followed by Emilian Musiałek with 17. Caccamo, the league's leading scorer would end up having 14 points on 6-19 shooting, highlighted by a meager 2-10 from three point distance.

The Blades would get near triple-double performances from Mark Louis Hugos and Kelly Paul, with the former leading the Blades in points with 24 points, nine rebounds and eight assists and the latter with 19 points 18 rebounds and eight assists. Saady's game-long brilliance churned out 21 points, six rebounds and five assists while center Eugenio Genco would have a double-double himself of 13 points and 18 rebounds.

The Blades enter the playoff with all the momentum that they can get as the #1 seed in the Great 8 Conference as well as home court advantage for the entire playoffs, while Berds Cage would remain as the #3 seed with them having a superior point differential compared to #4 seed interface.

Blades join elite company in feat

The Bacoor Blades won their final game of the eliminations by stopping their arch rivals Berds Cage to finish with an unbeaten record of 22 wins and no losses as they enter the playoffs of League IV.6 as the top seed in the Great 8 Conference.

The feat makes them a member of an elite class of teams that were able to win every assignment at least of the elimination round, joining the Bongston Crocodiles of Season 10, the MMSU Science High School Greats of Season 11, team Azicate of Season 15, and most recently, the team of Añejo from two seasons ago.

"The accomplishment is fancy on paper" said team manager TheDogMan when asked about what they had just done. "But I would have to be honest. It raises a lot of expectations and puts a lot of pressure on the boys to perform well in this year's playoffs" he continued.

"With what we did in the elimination round, the other teams will be more than willing to meet us and beat us in this playoffs. We did our job by gaining home court all throughout. Now, we must reap those efforts with wins." said French forward Insa Saady.

"Hindi ito yung mahalaga." said point guard Mark Louis Hugos. "Ang mahalaga, yung championship at yung tsansa na mapunta sa Division III."

"It's a good feeling to know that you enter the playoffs as the best team. But it would be even better if we walk out of the playoffs as the best team, as the champions." said Kelly Paul, the team's starting power forward.

Although it looks good that the team remained unbeaten during the two elimination rounds, it is not an assurance that they are shoo-in for the championship. Looking back at the previous four teams that were able to achieve the undefeated feat, although all of them reached the League Championship series, only two of them won it all, Bongston Crocodiles and Añejo.

"We have to be ready, there's no other option, we gave our all for this one chance to make it to a higher division, we must make the most of the opportunity." TheDogMan concluded.

The Bacoor Blades begin their quest for promotion facing interface at the League Quarterfinal round at The Bacoor Forum.

Top seeded Blades begin playoff run against interface

interface @ Bacoor Blades
League IV.6 Quarterfinals
17:49

The Bacoor Blades will begin their quest for promotion as they face Conference rival and #4 seed interface at The Bacoor Forum on August 7.

The Blades are coming off a 111-101 win against arch rival Berds Cage to finish the elimination round undefeated in 22 matches. While interface came off a 94-83 loss to The Dynasand Midges in an attempt to claim the #3 seed of the Great 8 Conference.

"We just came off a hard-fought victory. They're coming off a loss. So it is going to be an interesting match knowing that both sides are going to give their all." says Blades team manager TheDogMan.

In their two meetings in the elimination round, the Blades have consistently staved off interface's attempts to creep in closer in games, winning by nine points in their first round clash and by eight in the second round.

The winner of the game shall advance to the League Semifinals to face the winner of the Quarterfinal round between #2 seed The Dynasand Midges and #3 seed Berds Cage.

Blades advance after thrilling win vs. interface

League Quarterfinals
#4 interface @ #1 Bacoor Blades
00:25

The Bacoor Blades bucked a slow start in the first quarter and thwarted a late game rally to defeat interface, 101−93, to advance to the League Semifinals to face the winner of the Berds Cage vs. The Dynasand Midges quarterfinal showdown.

The Blades ended the first quarter down by 11, 29−18. Though they would win the second quarter scoring, 21−18, they would enter the second half down eight, 47−39.

It was at the third quarter where they would start their huge run. Baskets from Insa Saady, Iliya Dimov and Mark Hugos would ignite a third quarter run that would see the Blades take a five point lead at the end of three quarters, highlighted by a half−court heave by Iliya Dimov that went in at the buzzer.

In the fourth, the Blades went to work early, extending their lead to nine points. But baskets from interface’s Erminio Picchio and Mitar Barovic would give the Blades a scare, creeping as close as a single point. Interface could not capitalize however, as they allowed an 8−0 run to take another nine point edge for the Blades, a lead that they would no longer relinquish until the final buzzer.

Key players from interface struggle mightily during the game, highlighted by their All−Star guard Xose De Garcia’s 5 for 25 shooting, including 2−12 from three, for 13 points while Barovic had 14 points on just 6−19 shooting. They were led by Picchio’s double−double of 29 points and 12 rebounds. Alberto Acedo and Selwyn Cabatu also had double−doubles for interface as they combined for 21 points and 26 rebounds.

The Blades were led by Dimov’s 34 points as he looked to be the sole Blade player out there in the first half. Then Insa Saady would explode in the third quarter as he scored most of his 22 points during that canto.

“This was crazy. Exactly how the playoffs should be.” said Dimov. “I wanted to spark the team offensively. And I think I was able to do that.” He added.

“He looked like the only guy out there in the first half” said team manager TheDogMan. “Probably jitters from the rest of the team. At least they got rid of it as early as the first half. I was happy with their effort defensively in the second half. Xose (De Garcia) struggled with it and it was key. He could not make plays for a consistent basis against us.”

“We must not relax like we did in the first half.” Said Insa Saady. “It nearly cost us this game. We must do a better job next time.”

“And it’s a good thing that we can actually say that there will be a next time.” Saady exclaimed.

While the Blades look to get past the semifinal round in their next assignment, interface are officially eliminated from the competition this season with their loss. They ended the elimination round with a 14−8 record and the fourth seed in the Great 8 Conference.

Blades face revamped Midges in Semifinal

League Semifinals
#2 The Dynasand Midges @ #1 Bacoor Blades
2:48

Following their come-from-behind victory against a tough interface side in their playoff opener, the Bacoor Blades' journey to the top only gets harder as they will play host to yet another tough team in The Dynasand Midges to determine the representative of the Great 8 Conference in the League Championship round.

"This is going to be another battle. We got rocked the last time. We should know better by now that we cannot relax on any of these teams." said team manager TheDogMan. "Although our fightback against interface was remarkable, it would have not gotten to that point had we done a better job in the first half." he further added.

Although the two times that these two teams met in elimination round play, the Blades won handily, it was of different instances: The Blades won in the first round, 92-72, with their experienced twin towers of Sascha Eckert and Gustas Cvanovas still manning the paint. Their second round encounter, a 110-97 victory for the Blades, was a game played by the Midges without their key acquisition Alan Martin, who they got from transfers last June 20.

"Martin might not be able to play their semifinal game on Saturday, but the Midges are still a good team without him. They're not the second seed for nothing." said Kelly Paul, the Blades starting power forward.

"We had our wake-up call against interface. We need to do better this time." said Insa Saady, who officially end his stint with Bacoor after this season.

Dušan Malbašić and Abel Ezquerdo are some of the names that the Blades must be wary of as they are the ones that would play a vital role in this impending encounter for The Dynasand Midges.

"Their backcourt is one of the most potent in the league. They present different problems as compared to De Garcia and Mondonedo of interface, but it would be an exciting match-up nonetheless.

Last edited by TheDogMan at 8/8/2012 2:48:52 PM

Blades secure Finals seat with rout of The Dynasand Midges

League IV.6 Great 8 Semifinal
#2 The Dynasand Midges @ #1 Bacoor Blades
11:34

And they secure their chance at supremacy.

After yet another slow start, the Bacoor Blades used a big second quarter blast to put away The Dynasand Midges, 110-94 to advance to the League Finals for the first time in franchise history.

A tumultuous first quarter saw the Blades down by nine, 27-18 by the end of the period. then the Blades began to kick into a higher gear in the second canto by outscoring the Midges, 34-20 to take a 52-47 lead at the half.

The barrage of points would continue after the interval as they bludgeoned the visitors, 39-23 to blow the game wide open from then on.

Top scoring for Bacoor was Iliya Dimov and Mark Hugos who both had 23 points, with Insa Saady scoring 19 and Kelly Paul with a double-double performance of 17 points and 10 rebounds. Tim Puckett is also in double figures with 10.

"We had jitters entering the game to be honest." said Kelly Paul. "We wanted to win so bad since this was the stage that we failed to take advantage of last season."

"Nakaraos rin kami." said a jubilant Hugos. "Malapit na kami sa pangarap naming mag-champion at ma-promote."

"We won by a comfortable margin, yes. But I did not like how we began this game. We were slow and had to pick up pace midway." said team manager TheDogMan. "This was a concern in the playoff with interface. And although we were able to buck the odds in that game, we could have done better. Same goes to this game"

"We will prepare for our upcoming opponent. This is going to be a great series. We are looking forward to it."

Last edited by TheDogMan at 8/11/2012 11:34:20 PM

Blades set to begin Finals showdown against The Blackout

The Bacoor Forum
League IV.6 Finals
Big 8 #1 The Blackout @ Great 8 #1 Bacoor Blades
11:50

The stage is set to determine the team that goes away with the top prize in Division IV.6: The Championship and the promotion.

The Bacoor Blades and The Blackout will meet in the deciding best-of-three series to determine the champion of Season 20 of the tournament.

The Blades and The Blackout both came off impressive routs of their semifinal opponents en route to this impending showdown, an indication that both teams are geared with a lot of momentum coming into the series. The Blades came off a 110-94 victory over The Dynasand Midges in order to clinch the Finals seat of the Great 8 while The Blackout demolished a hapless androidz slasher team, 104-65 to book a seat for the Big 8.

"It's fitting that the two top seeded teams from both conferences would end up fighting who truly is the top team in the league." said team manager TheDogMan.

Although the team was able to handily beat The Blackout in their one and only meeting in the elimination round, 108-91, veteran forward Insa Saady is not going to take their adversary lightly.

"It's not as if they are an inexperienced team like we are in terms of the Finals. They've been here before, so they are surely going to fight hard against us." said the 6'7" French international, who is reportedly in his final stint with the team.

"Masaya kami na nanalo kami sa semis, hindi dahil nakaabot kami sa Finals." said a determined Mark Hugos. "Kasi hindi lang Finals slot ang habol namin. Habol namin yung championship."

The Best-of-Three Finals Championship Series of League IV.6 Season 20 shall begin on Tuesday, August 14 at The Bacoor Forum.

No room for complacency for the Blades

League IV.6 Championship Final
Big 8 #1 The Blackout vs. Great 8 #1 Bacoor Blades
2:

It could be understood if the Blades were to enter their very first championship round stint as overwhelmed as first-timers usually do. But then again, the Bacoor Blades may also come into the Final in a very complacent mood and very few would be surprised.

The only time these two teams met in the elimination round resulted in a 108-91 victory for Bacoor. That alone could already provide the possible plot for how this series could go. However, Bacoor Blades team manager TheDogMan would not have that as his reason to motivate the team.

"They know that they (BCB) defeated them (BLA) before. But the thing is, so do they (BLA). So more or less they would like to return the favor." he said just hours after they notched a win against The Dynasand Midges in the League Semifinal.

"They've been here before, so they are surely going to fight hard against us." said French forward Insa Saady, talking about The Blackout's past Finals experience.

It was two seasons ago when The Blackout was able to emerge as the best in the Big 8 Conference and go all the way to the championship round as the #4 seed, only to fall victim to a juggernaut of a team in Añejo, sweeping them in two games, both by 21 points. This was followed up by a heartbreaking 92-91 semifinal loss to Dalandan Lynx.Phil.99ers in a thriller of a game that saw them being unable to make plays in the final seconds.

"They've had their own heartbreaks and missed opportunities like we do. We both want to move forward as teams. And a championship will help us get to that point." said Kelly Paul.

It was also last season when the Blades were unable to get past eventual Season 19 Champions El Tigre Chino in the semifinal round.

"We have all the motivation. We had an impressive run in the eliminations and two good playoff wins so far. We're doing this as a team. We know we have what it takes." says team manager TheDogMan.

The Best-of-Three Finals Championship Series of League IV.6 Season 20 shall begin on Tuesday, August 14 at The Bacoor Forum.

Blades drop Game 1 of the Finals to The Blackout

The Bacoor Forum
Big 8 #1 The Blackout vs. Great 8 #1 Bacoor Blades
League IV.6 Championship Final
19:

Their first loss of the season came at the worst time.

A slow start ultimately doomed the Bacoor Blades as they lose Game 1 of the Best-of-Three Finals of League IV.6 Season 20, 117-105.

The Blackout raced to a 35-29 lead at the end of the 1st quarter off baskets by Teodor Kasczmarek and Miguel Vidal Llorente. Bacoor would fight back in the second though, even managing to hold a six point lead, 46-40. But baskets from the opposing frontcourt would put them up again and take a 61-56 halftime lead.

The onslaught would continue for the visitors as baskets from Llorente and Kasczmarek would keep any Bacoor Blades attempt at bay en route to a 10-point lead entering the fourth, 86-76.

To begin the fourth, the Blades would ignite a 7-0 run to come to within three points, 86-83. But it would ultimately not be enough as again, baskets from the opposing end would spoil any other Blades run. Insa Saady would nail key baskets to put them within six points, 102-96. But they ran out of gas as the end as three pointers from Llorente and Kasczmarek and putbacks by Philippe Coquillat would douse the chances of a final comeback.

Iliya Dimov would lead the Blades with 25 points in a losing effort. Insa Saady struggled all night from the field amidst his 17 points, nine assists and five rebounds.

The triumvirate of Kasczmarek, Coquillat and Llorente would end up with 30, 25 and 22 points respectively.

The Blades will have to gather up for an attempt to force a decider as they play The Blackout in the War Zone on August 18.

Slow start killed Blades, says manager

The Bacoor Forum
League IV.6 Finals
22:08

During the last three games, although two of them were playoff wins versus interface in the quarterfinal and The Dynasand Midges in the semifinal, had the same script: the Bacoor Blades having a slow start in the first quarter. And they ultimately paid the price, as they experienced their first loss of the season, a 117-105 setback against The Blackout during Game 1 of their Best-of-Three Finals series at The Bacoor Forum.

"If we are to trace back the previous games we had, including that game vs. (Berds) Cage to end the elimination round, we were having a hard time trying to get a feel of the game in the first quarter." team manager TheDogMan said hours after their loss at home. "I knew for a fact that there will come a time that a team would figure that out and pounce us relentlessly for the entire game. We got that here in Game 1." he further added.

TheDogMan was talking about their 1st quarter performance during the game, where they fell behind by six points, 35-29 which would become the precursor of the entire game's theme as The Blackout thwarted every attempt of Bacoor to fight back.

"It has become a theme. And although it makes for a feel-good story that we can muster great comebacks, we knew we cannot do it on a consistent basis." said TheDogMan.

When asked by The Holster as to possible roster changes playing a factor in their Game 2 gameplan, he was quick to dispel any possibilities.

"This roster, under this rotation, under these players' circumstances, brought me to the big dance." says the manager.

"It will work in time, but I hope that I have not ran out of it."

The Blades need to regroup rather quickly nevertheless, as they travel to the War Zone for Game 2 of their Championship Series with their opponents looking to finish it out via sweep.