The Docomos stormed to a strong 105-88 win with Estolas in their arsenal, aided by Elmer Esdrelon and Edwin Santos. Ron Gamboa stole the spotlight in the first quarter with a buzzer-beater, scoring three points.
Estolas had problems at first, missing shots against Ferrera’s Jhun Abedes. He provided support in the first half, while Gamboa garnered 12 points.
A quick three-pointer from James Abuy gave the Ferreras their first lead with 28-26. Kae Bernardo came next with a lay up, dashing through Docomo’s Larry Sharry.
The Ferreras couldn’t stay ahead for long, with Estolas pounding their defense. The Docomos’ resilient defense pushed Ponce Rasa away, leaving him with 10 points. Ferrera’s Noel David and Andy Mortos had no choice but to double-team Santos for the basket, while Luis Abuel kept his place behind the three-point line.
Estolas nearly secured his team’s victory with 26 points in the second half, in addition to nine from Melvin Villarin. He piled four more free throws before capping the game with a jump shot. Esdrelon had his fair share of the basket as well, earning 14 points. Sharry tallied 19 offensive and defensive rebounds.
Mortos was the Ferreras’ top scorer with 20 points, followed by Abuel with 17.
Despite their loss, the Ferreras still have a chance for the championship. They will play team IT&E in tonight’s semis match, which starts at 7 p.m. The winner from this game will head against the Docomos on Wednesday’s finals round.
Scores:
Docomo Pacific 105 – J. Estolas 33, E. Santos 14, E. Esdrelon 14, R. Gamboa 13, L. Sharry 13, M. Villarin 9, M. Manalo 7, J. Tabora 2
Ferrera Builders 88 – A. Mortos 20, L. Abuel 17, K. Bernardo 16, J. Abuy 15, P. Rasa 10, N. David 7, J. Abedes 3
Quarterscores: 29-23, 51-45, 84-71, 105-88
IT&E 86, Wings Travel 75
Team IT&E used speed to their advantage last Friday, beating Wings Travel 86-75 in the QQ league’s first game.
Bernard Aquino opened the match with a three-pointer, kicking the Wings Travels off to a good start. A turnover by Dennis Morales also gave Brandon Talania his first two points. In a matter of minutes, the Wings Travels gained momentum and led 20-17 in the first quarter.
The IT&Es stuck close in the scores, making all possible shots. Joy Dayrit snuck a jumper behind Tony Diaz while Ehroll Peredo prepared for a rebound. Making the shot, Dayrit stayed in the sidelines as Marlon De Dios charged for an extra basket. Running out of time, the IT&Es had no choice but to turn the game around in the third quarter.
A reverse lay up from De Vero and jump shot from Peredo kept the IT&Es alive in the second half. De Dios held his usual spot below the basket, going head to head with Wings’ Bruce Berline. A series of free throw shots from Peredo and De Dios sustained the IT&Es in the final minutes of the game.
Scores:
IT&E 86 – I. De Vero 19, M. De Dios 18, B. Montano 14, E. Peredo 13, N. Park 6, J. Dayrit 4
Wings Travel 75 – B. Aquino 18, B. Talania 17, J. Camacho 11, T. Diaz 11, J. Tumaquip 10, B. Berline 8, D. Morales 6, R. Guiang 4
Quarterscores: 20-17, 40-35, 58-61, 75-86
