By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

TOP 45 secured its second straight win in the 45-and-up division of the Masters Basketball League following its 94-71 demolition of NIC last Friday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gym.
Ray Basa and John Guerrero led Top 45’s easy win, as they scored almost half of their team’s total output.
Basa fired 24 points, while Guerrero chipped in 22 points. Oscar Masga also helped Top 45’s winning cause adding 19 markers.
Guerrero, Basa and Joe Pangelinan joined forces in Top 45’s breakaway in the second quarter, while Masga delivered the killer blows in the third period.
Top 45 was leading by only five at the end of the first quarter, 19-14, when Basa, Guerrero and Pangelinan combined for 19 points in the second quarter to give their team a 46-29 halftime lead.
Guerrero and Pangelinan nailed seven markers each in the second period, while Basa added five.
It was Masga’s turn to shine in the third quarter, as he scored nine in that period, while Basa continued to hit his marks firing eight more points to give Top 45 a comfortable 77-48 lead, entering the fourth quarter.
NIC failed to make any headway in the fourth quarter absorbing its third loss in as many games.
Top 45 improved to a 2-1 record. It lost its debut against the Tropical Storm on Dec. 18, but bounced back beating the Old’Aces on Jan. 8.
NIC hopes to enter the win column when it faces the Old’Aces tomorrow in the first game at 6:30 p.m.
In the second match at 8 p.m., LBT takes on Proa.
Seven teams are playing in the 45-and-up division with the Dino Sores joining the list.
Each team will play six games in the regular season and all squads will advance to the playoffs with the top team getting a bye in the first round.
The playoffs will have a single-elimination format.
In the 35-and-up division, the Old’Aces battle Samahang Ilokano at Pangasinense in the first game this Friday, while the Typhoons collide with the Yankees in the second match.
All four teams in the 35-and-up division will move into the playoffs, which will have a double-elimination format.
Scores:
Top 45 94—Basa 24, J. Guerrero 22, Masga 19, J. Pangelinan 13, Takai 8, G. Pangelinan 4, Muna 2.
NIC 71—Alejandro 17, Ebuen 16, Manuta 14, Arenas 9, Gabriel 6.
Quarterscores: 19-14, 46-29, 77-48, 94-71