Andre Tongo had to wait until the 5th league game of the season to play his first game for Titans, but on this, his début, he led the Matt O’Flaherty Galway Titans to a crucial victory which put an end to U.C.C.Blue Demons unbeaten – winning record. Tongo scored a team-high 34 points, including several long range 3-pointers, and Titans handed Demons their first loss of the season with a 92-74 victory in Cork last Sunday afternoon. Titans stallworth Paulius Peldsius grafted for 18 points while Brendan Barile shot another 16 in as many minutes to ensure the Titans win. The Titans had to play this a game without the services of Head Coach Matt lint,Assistant Coach Jack Consodine who had work committments and two of their starting five, i.e. regular point guards Conall Mac Michael and U20 star and Seamus Garrity who missed the game with an ankle injury.
Instead the club drew on the experience of previously untested Paul Freeman(out of action through injury) but unbounding in his committment to the Titans.The opening few minutes of the game were basket for basket with Taofik and Peldsius answering early baskets from Demons by former superleague stars Hosford and O’Neill. Titans went on a run to finish the quarter behind some good shooting from Tongo to lead 25-18 at the end of the first.
Tongo continued his strong 3 point shooting in the second quarter. M.O’F Titans winning the rebounding battle at both ends as they stretched the lead to 10 at the half. There was good ball movement on offence with McNairney, Barile and Tongo all registering assists.
The 3rd quarter started with Brendan Barile lobbying a pin point pass to the athletic Tongo who ran the baseline caught the ball above the hoop and brought gasps from the crowd with a fantastic Allez-oop! M.O’F. Titans were now forcing turnovers and getting down court in transition resulting in fast break layups from Tongo which helped maintain Titans advantage. Near the end of the quarter some poor discipline from the home team allowed Tongo and Hynes to increase Titans lead at the foul line, and after 3 quarters they held a 65 – 46 advantage.
The 4th started with Demons making a run to close the gap to 10, with McCarthy scoring in the low post and O’Neill making some shots from outside. A line-up of Lautaro, Barile, Tongo, Peldsius and Hynes stretched the lead again with Peldsius and Barile making several big plays. The game finished with McCarthy and O’Halloran fouling out for Demons and Toms Fabricus scoring the final points from the free throw line.
This was a good performance from Titans with contributions from all 10 players that got court time. They will be hoping to build on this result this Sunday when they play Ballon in Dublin in a rematch of last seasons final. Well done Coach Freeman and WELCOME Andre Tongo!