NAPA Auto Parts bagged their fourth win in the open division of the 2022 Legends Sports Association Invitational Basketball League by slipping past Pacific Best Choice, 86-84, on Sunday, Jan. 8, at the Koblerville gym.
It was a well-fought battle with Pacific Best Choice establishing control early. Brian Natividad acted as the spark plug and scored five points, including one triple, while team mate Jun Hernandez kept the momentum burning with three consecutive three-pointers even as Jessie Bobares and Arfin Chua delivered the buckets to give Pacific Best Choice the lead, 21-19.
Napa, for their part, launched long-ranged attacks with Preston Basa and Alken Ege connecting two triples each. Team mate Jorge De Guzman joined the offensive assault in the third canto, but Pacific Best Choice stayed afloat thanks to Ryan Hipolito, Donnel Isip and Gabby Camacho to maintain control, 70-64.
In the fourth quarter, however, Napa’s relentless efforts finally paid off as the inside work of De Guzman, who scored 12 points, and Basa, who delivered seven points, closed the gap.
Pacific Best Choice fought back with clutch buckets but De Guzman came up with well-timed answer to give Napa a one-point lead.
After Pacific Best Choice failed to connect what could have been the game-winning shot, they forced a foul in order to stop the clock. Napa’s Alken Ege split his free-throw attempts, but it was enough to secure the win, 86-84.
Winners, too
Also improving their standing on the leaderboard were the Padrinos Tuesday Club who powered past Vizion Insurance, 96-82, for their third win of the season.
JR Galang with 31 points and Mike Aparte who scored 19 led the Padrinos to victory.
Jorge De Guzman, who plays for Napa Auto Parts in the Open Division, extends for the finish during a masters division game of the 2022 Legends Sports Association Invitational Basketball League at the Koblerville gym.
