Mangaldan’s Santiago and Cruz Shine in 3x3 Basketball Clash PDF

Mangaldan’s Santiago and Cruz shine in 3x3 basketball clash The Mangaldan Highlanders showcased their dominance in a high-energy exhibition match, defeating the Dagupan Ravens 21-15 at the Dagupan Sports Arena last night. The game was headlined by stellar performances from Michael Santiago and Jord...

Mangaldan’s Santiago and Cruz shine in 3x3 basketball clash The Mangaldan Highlanders showcased their dominance in a high-energy exhibition match, defeating the Dagupan Ravens 21-15 at the Dagupan Sports Arena last night. The game was headlined by stellar performances from Michael Santiago and Jordan Cruz, who combined for 16 points. In a tightly contested match, Santiago’s sharpshooting and Cruz’s commanding presence in the paint gave the Highlanders the edge. With the game tied at 13-13 late in the second half, Santiago drained two crucial two-pointers to swing momentum, allowing Mangaldan to pull away. The game started with both teams displaying impressive offensive chemistry. The Ravens jumped to a quick 6-3 lead behind Marcus Lopez’s fast breaks and Kevin Reyes’s midrange shots. However, the Highlanders responded through Cruz’s inside scoring and Santiago’s first two-point shot, leveling the score at 8-8. The game saw several lead changes, with neither team pulling ahead by more than two points in the first half. Dagupan’s aggressive defense forced turnovers, but Mangaldan’s composure under pressure became apparent in the second half. Cruz dominated the boards, scoring six points on putbacks and layups, while Santiago’s fourth two-point shot at the one-minute mark extended the Highlanders’ lead to 20-15. A final free throw sealed the 21-15 win. “It’s always fun to compete in games like this. The Ravens pushed us, but we stuck to our game plan and executed when it mattered,” said Michael Santiago, who led all scorers with 11 points. Coach Ramon Velasco added, “Exhibitions are about building connections, and tonight showed the passion and talent both teams bring to the court.”