New Lifers' Comeback Falls Short to 828 at Milcu 16U Tournament
In a thrilling matchup at the Milcu Sports Got Skills Basketball Tournament, the MGC New Life Christian Academy (MGCNLCA) 16U basketball team fell to club team 828 Basketball, 64-67, despite a strong third-quarter comeback led by team captain Trey Chua last August 3 at the Greenhills West Basketball Gym.
The New Lifers’ 16U team had gone undefeated against Sixth Man Ballers and Rise & Grind but faced a different challenge with the club team “828 Basketball” during the tournament.
828 started the game with a three, but MGCNLCA answered back with a reverse layup by Chua and an easy basket by Adrian Tan to take the lead. However, the New Lifers were not able to hold the lead for long as 828 scored another corner three. Chua was then subbed out after receiving a minor injury to the head. Even without his leadership on the floor, MGCNLCA maintained the score differential, ending the first quarter down two, 14-12.
Heading into the second quarter, the gap widened when 828 exploded for a monstrous 24-9 run. Both teams played with aggressive physicality, frequently engaging in strong scuffles and earning numerous fouls during the quarter. Unable to cope with the opponent’s back-to-back offensive attacks, the first half ended with 828 up by 17 points, 38-21.
The New Lifers turned the tide of the game in the third quarter with a 16-4 run led by Chua’s return to the court. 828 did their best to hold their own; however, MGCNLCA outplayed their opposition to close the gap. This left MGCNLCA down by only four points during the 4-minute mark of the second half.
The starting center for 828 and MGCNLCA’s substitute center, Miles Co, got into a heated altercation that ended with technical fouls for both players. The New Lifers held their composure in the face of tension, keeping their intensity and defense, holding on to end the third quarter with a 46-45 advantage.
However, 828 was not ready to bow out in the fourth quarter and started the game with another 3-pointer. MGCNLCA and 828 continued to trade shots, with the lead alternating between the teams. Adam Uy sank 10 points in the period, highlighted by his back-to-back threes, tying the game 62-62 in the last 25.5 seconds of the game.
After MGCNLCA’s last time out, the players returned to the court, ready to make their last play. On the next possession, the opponents managed to let loose a corner three that gave them a 3-point lead, 65-62. MGCNL answered back with a baseline jumper from Maddox Lim. With 9.8 seconds remaining, the New Lifers responded with a quick 2 from Lim, putting the score up to 64-65. However, it was too late, as 828 put the nail in the coffin by scoring the last two free throws. The New Lifers suffered a tough defeat, ending the game with 67-64.
