They faced Team Buraot in the 7 p.m. match, losing to them 86-78. Both teams fought neck and neck in the first half, with the Westerners gaining a one-point lead. Westerners’ Gino Libuw worked wonders in the offense, pulling eight points in the first quarter and 13 in the second. Gaining momentum, he and Mike Olaitiman tackled Buraot’s Dave Sablan and Angelo Fernando for the ball.
Buraot’s Emerson Bautista didn’t come into play until the second quarter, where he joined Nick Swaim in the rebounds. A three-pointer from Sablan was exactly what the team needed to catch up, followed by a layup from Gil Gapor.
The Westerners’ fragile lead was broken in the third quarter by Sablan. John Yarufalir helped Libuw and Olaitiman with four points, but it wasn’t enough to put them back ahead. Steals from Sablan proved disastrous to the Westerners, who fell behind by four points.
A little boost from Francis Manalo combined with Sablan’s acrobatic layups secured the Buraot’s win in the end.
Sablan led the team with 35 points, followed by Fernando with 19.
The Westerners weren’t out of fuel yet when they played team Atalig-Atalig Associates in the second game.
With Libuw as the shooting guard and Olaitiman driving the ball, the Westerners stayed close to the Ataligs in the first half. Despite their push, the joint forces of Bon Tamayo, Melvin Capalad, and Zack Babauta made the Ataligs a formidable force.
Tamayo executed a couple three-pointers before passing the ball to Babauta. Atalig’s Tom Santos assisted in the second half, earning 12 points.
Despite being behind, the game wasn’t over yet for Libuw, who scored successive jumpers. His three-pointers in the third quarter were a threat to the Ataligs, who weren’t too far ahead. With time in their favor, the Westerners still had the chance to tie the game. Tragedy struck when they started losing the ball to Santos and Tamayo, who scored open baskets.
With Olaitiman worn out, the rest of the match was up to Libuw. Tawanpiy and Libuw snuck eight points before losing the game 83-72.
With the wild-card playoffs coming up, the QQ league’s bottom three teams will be eliminated. Surviving the regular season were the Ferrera Builders, Wings Travels, IT&Es, Buraots, Ataligs, and Pacific Grocers. The dominant Docomo Pacifics are qualified to move on in the league’s semi-finals. Leaving with team Westerners are the Cellular Pros and Saimar Pilots.
First game:
Team Buraot 86 – D. Sablan 35, A. Fernando 19, G. Gapor 16, E. Bautista 9, F. Manalo 4, N. Swaim 3
Westerners 78 – G. Libuw 31, M. Olaitiman 20, J. Tagabuel 10, J. Yarufalir 6, A. Tawanpiy 5, J. Shinmai 4, W. Eselugyoang 2
Quarterscores: 18-16, 43-42, 58-64, 78-86
Second game:
Westerners 72 – G. Libuw 31, M. Olaitiman 16, A. Tawanpiy 14, J. Tagabuel 6, J. Shinmai 3, J. Yarufalir 2
Atalig-Atalig Associates 83 – B. Tamayo 24, M. Capalad 14, T. Santos 12, Z. Babauta 12, B. Camacho 11, B. Sablan 6, J. Tengco 2
Quarterscores: 26-15, 40-35, 58-55, 83-72
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