The first encounter of the league’s power house teams raged bringing out a neck-to-neck game in the first quarter, with Pete Iguel firing eight markers including three consecutive two-pointers for Bud Light.
Edzel Mendoza and Elmer Esdrelon had enough speed to slip through Bud Light’s defense and helped Hoegaarden keep pace with Bud Light.
Mendoza, Esdrelon and Kirk Schuler picked up fouls and completed their free throws.
However, Jack Lizama and Jose Tumaquip added three and four of their total points respectively to give Bud Light a four-point cushion.
Bud Light continued to suppress Hoegaarden with their smothering defense in the second quarter but a series of fouls given up by Lizama and Gus Palacios on Esdrelon and Mendoza allowed Hoegaarden to inch their way closer.
Hoegaarden took control of the game in the third quarter. Darwin Barbo picked up where Mendoza left off firing 10 of his 20 points helping Hoegaarden took the lead and pull away 12-points ahead.
The Bud Light defenders spread out to seal the midcourt with apparently, 1-3-1 defense to hold Hoegaarden back. But Esdrelon and Barbo kept their surge to push Hoegaarden forward in the fourth quarter.
At this period, both teams were in penalty situation.
Bud Light regained their lead in the last two minutes when Quincy Johnson basketed his two free throws. Peter Mendiola also picked up a foul and made his pair of penalty shots to stretch their lead.
Gus Palacios had Barbo pinned to the floor during a scramble for the ball outside the three-point line. This gave away Palacios last foul credit and handed Hoegaarden two successful free throws that forced an over time, 78-78.
In the extra five minutes, Mendiola took the turn in collecting fouls while Bud Light kept putting clamps on Hoegaarden’s offense to secure the lead.
Dan Barcinas sizzled with eight of his total points to lead Bud Light’s offense in this quarter.
Mendoza had two awesome steals that could have snatch the lead from Bud Light but the charges to the basket went empty.
Mendiola hit a two-pointer, followed by a pair of free throws, then, Bud Light let Hoegaarden chase the dwindling time in vain.
Scores:
Bud Light 87 – D. Barcinas 16, P. Iguel 14, P. Mendiola 14, J. Lizama 9, J. Tumaquip 9, Chariton 8, G. Palacios 7, J. Lee 2, R. Naraja 2.
Hoegaarden 84 – D. Barbo 20, E. Esdrelon 19, E. Mendoza 12, B. Berline 7, K. Schuler 7, B. Aquino 6, M. Capalad 4, R. Brostrom 3, Talania 2.
Quarterscores: 19-15, 36-34, 48-60, 87-84
