Elmer Esdrelon however, turned the game on a 17-point shooting spree and totaled 30 to hand Konflikt an 84-79 overtime win during the opening game of the 2011 Garapan Basketball League-IT&E Cup on Wednesday.
Budz Camacho and Bernard Aquino had Konflikt on the losing end during the third quarter, scoring 11 points on back to back layups.
At one point, Konflikt dragged behind by more than 10 points before Esdrelon’s game-changing baskets. A technical foul ended Sablan’s rally on the court, leaving him with 12 points.
A series of turnovers and Esdrelon’s three-point field goal eventually tied the game at 69-69 after two free throws from Elgin Mangali and Aquino. Esdrelon followed with a left-handed layup before Bon Tamayo’s OT-delivering free throw.
The game — tied at 73-73 — forced both squads into five more minutes.
Konflikt’s much-needed momentum kicked in after Ivan Devero’s jump shot, with JR Barrios and Esdrelon adding four points.
Only Bernard Aquino, Manolo Manalo, and Brandon Talania eked out three of Satbahi’s overtime baskets.
Glenn Aquino’s one-handed shot lifted Konflikt to an 83-79 lead. Barrios secured their first regular season win on a final free throw. Despite a scoreless first quarter, Devero tallied double-digits at 17 points while Wowie Abuel earned six.
Konflikt entered the season with a few newcomers, which included Pando Muleta, Sablan, Abuel, and Tamayo.
Scores:
IT&E-Konflikt 84 – E. Esdrelon 30, I. Devero 17, D. Sablan 12, J. Barrios 7, W. Abuel 6, B. Berline 5, B. Tamayo 3, G. Aquino 2
Blue Haus-Satbahi 79 – B. Aquino 18, B. Camacho 16, B. Talania 13, E. Mangali 13, E. Peredo 9, M. Dedios 8, M. Manalo 2
Quarterscores with overtime: 14-14, 33-29, 54-46, 73-73, 79-84
R-Rebels 80, Ol’ Aces 79
Meanwhile, the R-Rebels were no more than one point away from claiming Wednesday’s second game against the Ol’ Aces.
The Rebels won, 80-79 overcoming a late-game surge from Ol’ Aces Tony Diaz and Fred Pelisamen, who scored a combined 18 points in the final period.
Near the end, it was Rebels’ Fitial who secured the game with a last-second three-pointer.
Fitial garnered 16 points, trailing Sahj Hossain’s 21. R. Sacramento scored 12 and Trevor Ogumoro earned 11.
Fred Pelisamen carried the load for the Aces with 31 points after a 12-point run in the second half.
The Aces clinched a 52-40 lead in the second quarter before dropping seven points by the third period.
Joining the Rebels on the scoreboard were Ham Hambros and Fred Litulumar, who gained nine and eight points, respectively. Ben Lisua scored two and Juan Ogarto added one.
Scores:
R-Rebels 80 – S. Hossain 21, Fitial 16, R. Sacramento 12, T. Ogumoro 11, H. Hambros 9, F. Litulumar 8, B. Lisua 2, J. Ogarto 1
Ol’ Aces 79 – F. Pelisamen 31, T. Diaz 17, M. Olaitiman 9, E. Diaz 8, Z. Diaz 6, T. Buuren 4, C. Kenty 2, P. Camacho 2
Quarterscores: 14-13, 52-40, 54-61, 79-80
