Eugene Manglona and Ezra Caro sealed that deal when they overturned a nine-point deficit and buried the Filcag-Rollers, 86-80 in their youth division finals match of the 2011 United Filipino Organization Basketball League-Docomo Pacific Cup at the Tan Siu Lin Sports Complex on Saturday.
Manglona — allowed only one point off a free throw in the first quarter — returned with six more points to trail the Rollers, 33-35.
The Jets closed the gap with a final run in the fourth period, thriving off missed jump shots from Brandon Aulerio and Luizi Reyes. Defensive pressure threw the Rollers off their feet, as turnovers favored Melvin Cadiang with five minutes left on the clock.
Kagman High School varsity player Sahj Hossain had earlier blasted a reverse layup and foul shot to hand the Jets their first lead, 43-41. He then fired a three-point field goal to keep the Rollers at bay.
Moments later, two free throws from a blocking foul helped Leo Galarse even the scores, 48-48.
Manglona held his end with 13 rebounds, three steals, and one assist. Caro followed with 12 rebounds and three blocks to counter Rollers’ center Travis Eubanks.
The Rollers eked out two steals in the fourth quarter, allowing Galarse his second three-pointer. He returned for an extra field goal but was caught on an offensive foul against Cadiang.
Namelo and Reyes replaced Kiyoshi and Pat Torres in an attempt to change tactics but it was too late.
The Jets clinched the UFO’s very first youth division title after drawing a six-point lead in the last 20 seconds.
Caro rallied with 18 points while Hossain earned 17. Melvin Cadiang garnered 16, Kevin Deleon scored 11, and Webb added two.
Completing their roster were Juanito Sambile, Rainer Deleon Guerrero, McGarrett Duenas, Joseph Aguilar, Ian Benavente, and Jose Pena.
Scores:
AFP-Jets 86 – E. Manglona 22, E. Caro 18, S. Hossain 17, M.Cadiang 16, K. Deleon 11, J. Webb 2
Filcag-Rollers 80 – L. Galarse 21, P. Torres 18, B. Aulerio 12, L. Reyes 11, W. Namelo 6, J. Kiyoshi 5, T. Eubanks 5, B. Iglesias 2
Quarterscores: 21-12, 35-33, 56-52, 80-86
SIP 89, Armatech 81
In a consolation game, team SIP-Aon-Flor claimed their spot in the youth division’s top three after defeating MDX-Armatech, 89-81.
SIP’s starters Jack Aranda and Jaymark De Guzman closed the match with 23 and 24 points, respectively while Nicko Salem bagged 13.
Armatech capped the first half on a one point lead but slowly burned down without its frontrunner Matt Duenas.
A well balanced bench kept SIP alive, with an onslaught of three-pointers from Aranda and De Guzman. The duo posted a combined 20 points in the third quarter as Armatech fell behind, 73-67.
Duenas and Christian De Vero’s absence left the court to Pedro Castro, who garnered 23 points. Lawrence Rollon added 20 while Jared Ano scored 12.
Scoring 13 points, Ralph Francisco squeezed in no field goals in the second half.
SIP had earlier bid adieu to the youth division’s crown after falling short against the Filcag-Rollers. Likewise, team Armatech lost their title bid on an 89-85 loss to the AFP-Jets last week Saturday.
Scores:
SIP-Aon-Flor 89 – J. De Guzman 24, J. Aranda 23, Nicko Salem 13, J. Cenir 9, J. Darag 6, Saturno 4, Niven Salem 4, B. Alegre 4, P. Mariano 2
MDX-Armatech 81 – P. Castro 23, L. Rollon 20, R. Francisco 13, J. Ano 12, N. Feria 7, H. Maraman 6
Quarterscores: 24-23, 47-48, 73-67, 89-81
