Elite Force’s Gab De Guzman extends for the fastbreak finish during a game of the Destroyers Friendly Games League at the TSL Sports Complex.
Elite Force’s Manny Jacob takes the uncontested three-pointer during a game of the Destroyers Friendly Games League at the TSL Sports Complex.
THE Elite Force bagged their second straight win by outlasting NAPA, 57-55, in a game of the Destroyers Friendly Games League at the TSL Sports Complex on Sunday.
Both teams were evenly matched and filled the opening half with a series of lead exchanges.
NAPA played unselfishly, emphasizing teamwork with good ball movement. As the point guard, Alken Ege orchestrated the offense using his court-vision to deliver pocket passes to Dick Tibayan, who was the top scorer in first 10 minutes with seven points. Ege then took over in the remaining 10 minutes with seven points as well.
However, the Elite Force’s shot consistency proved superior. Thanks to the individual skills of Manuel Gatbonton and Andrew Sy, they scored 13 points and six points, respectively, to give their team a slight advantage, 29-25.
In the second half, NAPA’s Ege and Tibayan managed to draw out several fouls to find themselves at the free throw line for uncontested attempts.
But the Elite Force, led by Gatbonton and Sy, fought back. The rest of the team eventually stepped up with Gerard Doque and Renzo Delos Reyes contributing a couple of clutch shots to maintain the lead.
In the final seconds of the game, Tibayan connected a much-needed triple to put the game at a deadlock, 55-55. During the succeeding transition play, Gatbonton managed to draw a foul and knocked down both free throw attempts as the Elite Force regained a slight edge, 57-55.
With little to no time left, NAPA failed to put up a shot and had to settle for defeat.
Other games
Joining the winner’s circle were Vizion Insurance, which rallied past Yabangis, 91-83; and Lamesa Kusina, which triumphed over Bio-Pro, 93-88.
