Aquino showed promising results for his team after starting the game with a three-pointer. Both teams closely fought into the final quarter, with Atalig’s Budz Camacho forcing his way through Daniel Stafford and Bruce Berline.
While Aquino and Dennis Morales focused on the offense, Brandon Talania helped slow the Atalig’s progress with a steal from Angelo Hernaez. Enjoying their lead in the final minutes of the game, the Wings Travels secured their win through Aquino and Robert Guiang’s free throws.
Earlier in the match, Wings Travel’s Bruce Berline couldn’t catch up to Jomar Tengco, who hooked a clean shot for the Ataligs. Berline later teamed up with Stafford to block lay ups from Bon Tamayo and Zack Babauta. The Wings Travels ended their deadlock in the end of the second quarter, edging the Ataligs by two points.
For the second time, Atalig’s Tom Santos tried to turn the game around but was shutout by Morales and Talania.
Buraot 97, Cell Pro 81
Prior to the Wings and Ataligs’ match last Friday, Team Buraot swept the Cellular Pros 97-81 in the QQ Basketball League’s first game.
Doing what he does best, Buraot’s Dave Sablan knocked Cell Pro defenders off with his reverse layups. Sablan’s shots were also made possible by assists from teammate Gil Gapor, who had a clean start in the offense.
The Cell Pros stayed close in the scores, but couldn’t catch up to their opponents. Striking six quick points in the third quarter, the Buraots finally reached a ten point lead.
Sablan was a big threat to the Cell Pros, who were way behind by final quarter. Cell Pro’s Roger Herrera tried to catch up to Sablan, but was double teamed by Buraot’s Nick Swaim and Gapor.
Angelo Fernando dealt more damage to the Cell Pros after making 10 points from the first half.
Michael Palacios tried mauling his way past Buraot defenders in the last minutes of the match, but was fouled and given two free throw shots.
Fernando scored seven points before leaving ball control to Sablan. One after the other, Sablan and Emerson Bautista finished the game with four more points for Buraot.
Wings vs. Atalig:
Wings Travel 82 – B. Aquino 27, B. Talania 16, D. Morales 12, D. Stafford 11, R. Guiang 10, B. Berline 4, E. Yalung 2
Atalig-Atalig Associates 76 – B. Tamayo 17, T. Santos 13, M. Capalad 12, B. Camacho 12, A. Hernaez 9, J. Mina 8, R. Nonato 3, J. Tengco 2
Quarterscores: 17-17, 38-36, 54-55, 82-76
Buraot vs. Cell Pro:
Buraot 97 – D. Sablan 28, A. Fernando 23, G. Gapor 22, N. Swaim 9, E. Bautista 6, J. Rosakaw 5, R. Delos Reyes 2
Cellular Pro 81 – R. Herrera 32, M. Palacios 11, M. Rotap 10, R. Hernandez 9, R. Ritual 6, D. Pablo 5, E. Dulfo 5
Quarterscores: 19-16, 48-40, 74-64, 97-81
