The Ferreras, ending last month with seven wins and one loss, nearly lost their lead when Wings’ Dennis Morales struck eight points in the fourth quarter. Missing his last shot, Morales stormed for a rebound and slipped through Noel David for the basket.
The Ferreras gained a one point lead halfway through the quarter, after Wings Travel’s Darin Keizer made one free throw.
Ferrera’s Kae Bernardo led the team to a good start after piling 10 points in the first quarter. The Wings Travels kept a fast pace despite being overrun in the first half. Wings’ Brandon Talania scored two clean jumpers before being fouled.
Ferrera’s James Abuy kept control of the ball in the second quarter, joined by Andy Mortos. Steady passes pulled through for the team, while the Wings Travels stumbled in the offense.
Making no points in the third quarter, Ferrera’s Luis Abuel scored two jumpers in the last minutes of the game. A well formed defense from Keizer and Tony Diaz stopped him from his usual three pointers.
Talania also missed a three pointer, but later snatched the ball from David.
Three minutes weren’t enough for the Wings Travels, who now have three losses. They and the Ferreras are guaranteed spots in the league’s wild-card playoffs, which will start on Sunday.
Kae Bernardo was the game’s leading scorer with 22 points. Tony Diaz and Brandon Talania followed with 17 apiece.
Scores:
Ferrera Builders 79 – K. Bernardo 22, J. Abuy 16, A. Mortos 14, L. Abuel 10, N. David 8, G. Miranda 4, J. Abedes 3, B. Demapan 2
Wings Travel 73 – T. Diaz 17, B. Talania 17, D. Morales 13, D. Keizer 12, B. Aquino 9, Y. Gabaldon 3, B. Berline 2
Quarterscores: 21-17, 48-29, 59-52, 79-73s
IT&E 107, Cell Pro 61
Meanwhile, team IT&E crushed the Cellular Pros in a blowout game, winning 107-61 last Wednesday.
Though led by Roger Herrera, the Cellular Pros couldn’t keep up in the second half. IT&E’s lead scorer Ehroll Peredo blasted two three-pointers in the first half before making 10 consecutive points in the third quarter. He was joined by N. Park and Jr. Montano, who made four more points.
With the Cell Pros only making nine points in the third quarter, the IT&Es knew they secured the game. IT&E’s Marlon De Dios took the team eight points ahead before lending the ball to Bernard Montano.
The Cell Pros fell hard in the fourth quarter, with Herrera only shooting one jumper. Penetrating the team of Montano and Ivan De Vero was too difficult for Cell Pro’s Gus Loste.
Peredo made one more basket before leaving the ball to Park and Mico Usi, who scored 13 more points for IT&E. De Vero marked layups with Montano as the two dodged their way from Cell Pro defenders.
Scores:
IT&E 107 – E. Peredo 24, M. De Dios 19, I. De Vero 14, B. Montano 13, N. Park 12, J. Montano 10, J. Dayrit 8, M. Usi 7
Cellular Pro 61 – R. Herrera 27, M. Rotap 16, M. Palacios 10, G. Loste 4, E. Dulfo 4
Quarterscores: 19-18, 45-42, 75-51, 107-61
