Tuesday, May 22, 2012

National Finals Game 2: Barva 72 Sanatura 76


Defending champ Barva had not lost any games at home this season. We let a lead a game slip away in double overtime earlier in the season that really stung. In fact, if my memory is correct they have only lost once at home (to Escazu) in the last two seasons (or is it three seasons?). To go into Palacio de Deportes and get a win is no simple feat, let alone in the second game of a playoff series in front of a packed gym.


Barva started the game with a zone defense. Jaythiev Davis and Michael hit some three pointers without hesitation, giving us an early lead that we would carry for most of the first half. After that early barrage of threes, the teams started trading baskets. Amir Alvarado came back from an injury for Barva to give them a boost in the post; even though he wasn't 100% he was able to get some crafty baskets to keep Barva in the game. Henry Martinez came in hot off the bench yet again, hitting shots and making plays. We went into half time with a five point lead.

Barva usually comes out of the gate in third quarters like a bull in Pamplona. Alonso Sanchez kept knifing through our defense creating all sorts of problems. Cristian Chavarria made some clutch baskets to keep our lead. In the fourth quarter, Barva switched to a box and one, covering Henry with their best perimeter defender. That's not a defense we had prepared for, so it sent our offense to a string of turnovers and bad shots. Barva capitalized on these mistakes to make their big run; Ike St Rose made an incredible dunk over our defense to tie the score up at 67.



Barva took a two point lead with about a minute to go, which we immediately tied up on free throws by Michael. After getting a stop, we took a timeout with 43 seconds to go. Sometimes you draw a play in the huddle and it works perfectly. Other times, the players adjust to the defense. We got the ball to Michael, who took two dribbles towards the basket. Now Michael in those situations lowers his head and just attacks the basket, usually drawing one or two extra defenders. As soon as Mike took those dribbles, the Barva defenders rotated over for the help defense. As Mike jumped in the air, he passed to Dave Milliner across the lane, who himself took a bounce towards the basket before passing it to an open Jeff Dixon, who took a 15 foot jump shot that took a dramatic bounce before dropping into the net.

Up by 2 with 24 seconds to go, Barva had one last shot to tie up the game, or even go for the win. St Rose took a well-defended pull up jumper, and then rebounded the miss for another jumper. Mike snagged the rebound and then got clubbed by Amir; the intentional foul meant two free throws and the ball, essentially sealing the game as Michael made his free throws. Our bench broke out into pandemonium...and the final whistle sounded. We won the final series two games to none and were the new Campeones de Apertura.

Sanatura Desamparados, Campeones de Apertura 2012

I have the utmost respect and admiration for the Barva organization and its players. They have lorded over  the local hoops landscape for the past six years, but I still remember how hard it was for them to get over the hump against Liceo. I know they will come back strong in Clausura.

I have the coaching disease. No sooner had the final whistle sounded, and there I was thinking about Clausura. I suck at celebrating, but I'm real happy for my players. They have made all types of sacrifices this season. 6 AM practice. Four hour bus rides to Perez and Limon. Playing through all sorts of injuries. And a whole lot of sweat and hard work in practice to get better individually and as a team. Now comes the hard part.

Game Notes


  •  Ike St Rose led the scoring for Barva with 23 points. With 22 points, Michael Jackson again led a balanced scoring attack for us. Dave Millinier (13 points),  Jaythiev Davis (12 points), Henry Martinez (10 points) and Cristian Chavarria (10 points) all scored in double figures. 
  • Our point guard, Cristian Chavarria, had a game high 13 rebounds with David Carnegie adding 11 boards. 
  • Neither team shot the ball very well from the field (Barva 37% Sanatura 31%), though we shot better from three point land (37% to 12%).
  • As a new franchise, we don't have a lot of fan support but we had a very strong showing in Palacio on Sunday. A lot more orange in the stands than I expected. Friends and family came out in full and provided plenty of loud support. For me personally, it was great to have my family in the stands for a special moment. 
  • Channel 33 Xpert TV will be replaying the games this week on Tuesday and Saturday at 7pm. 

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