National Finals Game 5

Kay Martinez came up big in Game 5.

We lost Game 5 after being up 2-0 in the series. The shock has not worn off. Not that we lost--any of three teams could have easily won the title--but that we were so close to winning the title, only to have it slip through our fingers. Our inability to close out the series up 2-0 on our "home" gym facing a San Ramon team that had played every other day for alms two weeks sealed our fate. Of the three Finals I have lost this has been the toughest to digest.



Eight years ago, Liceo de Costa Rica overcame a 2-0 deficit in their series against then upstart Ferreteria Brenes Barva to win their their title in a row. It was a wild game played in Cartago in front of a packed gym; a game tying buzzer beater by Barva was allowed by the refs after taking a look a video replay. The Liceo guys had to be dragged out of the locker room to play the overtime which they eventually pulled out. That game and series in general weighed heavily in my mind when we went up 2-0 in the series.

San Ramon packed the National Stadium to the brim, their fan base eager for the win that would cap an epic comeback. The game started out with both teams trading baskets in the first quarter. After missing Game 4, Michael Jackson came out of the gate strong attacking the basket. Our defensive focus all series was to harass Greg Platter and get the ball out of his hands; Chavarria and the rest of the team were generally effective in that goal holding Platter to 8 points on 3 of 11 shooting. San Ramon had other guys step up to fill the scoring void: Kay Martinez was aggressive looking for his shot while Daniel Simmons pounded us inside.  San Ramon started threading together baskets in the second quarter to go up by double digits going into the half.

The third quarter was gut check time for our team. We came out like gangbusters with great energy on defense, and in a matter of minutes erased San Ramon's lead and went on top. Kay kept making baskets to keep San Ramon in the game. They withstood our best shot and were still hanging around as the game drifted to the fourth quarter with a title on the line.





It was a one possession game for most of the fourth quarter, but you could see our offense begin to bog down. All tied up with about four minutes to go, Kay Martinez and Isaac Conejo hit huge three pointers to stretch out the lead for San Ramon. Down by 4, we missed some key shots that would have kept it a one shot possession game, and then got stuck on 68 for the last two minutes. San Ramon celebrated their first title as the final whistle sounded.

Game Notes

• Michael Jackson ended up with 35 points, but he was exhausted in the fourth quarter. Running on fumes, he let two rebounds bounce right in front of him, only to watch San Ramon grab the offensive board and score on both plays. Our team shot poorly, unlike the third game, we were actually attacking the basket. San Ramon's stalwart defense did a good job on everyone besides Michael. 
• Kay Martinez ended up with 26 points on a mix of inside and outside baskets. He was assertive all night and was a crucial part of San Ramon's big win. A big performance in a crucial situation, including that dagger three pointer to put his team up ahead. 
• Jefney Anderson had a quiet game offensively, but was again a factor inside nabbing 9 rebounds and changing shots inside. 
• The San Ramon faithful brought some much needed life to the basketball scene, loudly supporting their team all game. Seemed like the old days when Liceo and Seminario would square off in front of packed gyms. 

USJ ARBA San Ramon
2012 National Champs