McGraw Hill survived a late-game scare from Fiesta Resort and Spa and won, 88-74 while DFS eked out a 109-86 to eliminate Mobil in yesterday’s semifinal round of the 3rd Shirley’s Basketball League.
McGraw Hill stormed to a 10-point lead in the second half and hung on after Elmer Esdrelon’s triples to clinch the second match of the evening.
Dave Sablan once again took the lead and tallied a game high 26 points with eight steals while center Kelvin Fitial posted 25 points. Teammate Mel Manibusan nearly grabbed a double-double on 14 points with eight rebounds.
Fiesta sought redemption after falling back, 22-14 in the first quarter. Esdrelon and Joyner however, couldn’t squeeze out a solid offense to erase their deficit after halftime.
Fitial rallied across the court and Sablan forced two turnovers to keep the court in McGraw Hill’s favor. They cruised ahead on a 14-point advantage with 2:13 left in the fourth quarter. Marlon Cabrera and Mel Manibusan kept pressure on Bruce Berline and Esdrelon, preventing them from three crucial shots.
McGraw Hill dominated most of the game on a six-point lead and outscored Fiesta, 26-22 in the final quarter.
Fiesta had earlier grabbed the third seed during regular season on a favorable 7-2 record.
In the first game, DFS Galleria’s Pete Iguel top scored on 37 points and posted four steals to down Mobil, 109-86.
DFS erased a one-point deficit and pulled away in the second half despite Jun Estolas’ 36-point performance. Dan Barcinas aided their rally on 11 points and garnered five rebounds with five assists. Teammate Junar Guiab posted eight rebounds.
Steady and well executed plays lifted DFS on the winning end, with Guiab and Iguel adding seven and eight points, respectively. They dominated Mobil, 32-14 by the fourth period.
DFS and McGraw Hill will face off this Sunday, 7 p.m. at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. No consolation games will take place according to league organizers. Both Mobil and Fiesta Resort will tie for third place.
Scores:
PSS McGraw Hill 88 – D. Sablan 26, K. Fitial 25, M. Manibusan 14, W. Mendez 10, J. Villacrusis 7, J. Lee 2, L. Buniag 2, M. Cabrera 2
Fiesta Resort 74 – J. Joyner 24, E. Esdrelon 18, A. Jinang 12, B. Talania 8, I. Devero 8, E. Moises 2, B. Berline 2
Quarterscores: 22-14, 45-39, 62-52, 88-74
DFS Galleria 109 – P. Iguel 37, J. Guiab 19, J. Lizama 14, G. White 12, D. Barcinas 11, Q. Johnson 10, W. Jung 6
Mobil 86 – J. Estolas 36, B. Demapan 10, M. Rabauliman 10, G. Gapor 8, G. Ruluked 8, G. De Guzman 4, L. Sharry 4, J. Jose 2, E. Bautista 2, R. Gamboa 2
Quarterscores: 30-19, 46-47, 77-70, 109-86
