basketball diaries (part 2, game against m-vic)

24 may, 7th game, last game of the eliminations against 1 of 3 teams already eliminated:

our opponents only suited up 8 players. we only fielded in 6. perhaps there was indication that we are taking this team lightly as several of our key players opted to miss this game for some other things they had to do.

early on, we marched into a double-digit lead but complacency sets in as the halftime ends with us leading by only single digits.

we started to assert ourselves starting the 3rd quarter. after a 1st half that had me score just 4 points (on a follow-up tap and a long jumper), i started to crash the boards and as much as possible, score inside.

by the end of the game, we had a lead of double-digits (16) and i scored 16 points including 6 out of 6 from the free-throw line.

we talked about the upcoming semifinal games for the next weekend and we were told that we are going to be the number 1 seed coming in hence will be meeting the number 4 seed on the cross-over semifinals. i reminded the team that for the semifinal showdown, we should be focused and not go through stretches wherein we are just relaxing and letting our guard down. if our past 3 opponents were able to cut in into our lead and eventually take the upperhand (even for just one possession), it would be an even more challenging game next time around as the winner will be in the finals.