UNDEFEATED Blue Haus and #2 seed Chang Ming Market secured spots in the open division finale of the Legends Sports Association Invitational Basketball League after eliminating their respective opponents during the semifinal round on Saturday at Koblerville gym.
Blue Haus overcame NAPA Auto Parts with a strong fourth quarter finish to secure victory, 83-74.
Blue Haus found their team chemistry early in the opening quarter as their ball movement led to several shot opportunities highlighted by Douglas Schmidt and Brendon Talania for a 20-15 lead.
However, in the second canto, NAPA managed to turn the tables as they started to rain down three-pointers. With each successful defensive stop, Preston Basa and James Abuy capitalized with back-to-back triples for a total of six made shots to snatch the lead, 44-37.
However, NAPA’s reliance on the long-range approach eventually took its toll as there were more misses than hits in the third quarter which allowed Blue Haus to strike back with fastbreak plays led by Schmidt, Ivan De Vero and Marlon De Dios.
NAPA struggled but they still managed to connect crucial shots to trail by only one point, 56-57.
Ultimately, NAPA failed to find an answer to Blue Haus’ versatility and ability to create shots and second chance buckets courtesy of Kelvin Fitial, De Vero and De Dios while Schmidt and Elmer Esdrelon also delivered the buckets to pave Blue Haus’ road to victory, 83-74.
Chang Ming Market vs JTM Saipan
In the other semifinal game, Chang Ming Market triumphed over JTM Saipan, 88-70.
Chang Ming quickly established control as they used their towering height to control the boards and Mark Ferrer’s precision from beyond the arc to seize the lead, 23-16.
JTM fought back in the second and third cantos and capitalized on Chang Ming’s aggression which resulted in Ryan Bayna and Joseph Torres finding themselves at the free-throw line constantly.
But without the ability to stop Chang Ming’s well-rounded offense, JTM had to wave the white flag, 70-88.
Finale
At the Koblerville gym on Sunday, Feb. 19, the open division battle for third place between NAPA and JTM will take place at 9 a.m.
Next is the battle for third place in the master division between Legends Elite and Vizion Insurance at 10:30 a.m.
At 2 p.m., the master division championship game between JSN and Blue Haus will take place followed by the open division championship at 3:30 p.m. between Blue Haus and Chang Ming Market.
Blue Haus’ Brendon Talania extends for the fastbreak finish during an open division semifinal game of the Legends Sports Association Invitational Basketball League on Saturday at the Koblerville gym.
Chang Ming Market’s Don Brennan takes the contested three-point shot during an open division semifinal game of the Legends Sports Association Invitational Basketball League on Saturday at the Koblerville gym.
