Behind throughout the game, team Mobil rallied one last time to win, 87-85 in game two of the 2nd QQ Car Rental Basketball Cup’s championship series last Saturday at Garapan Basketball Court.
Giles Ruluked’s game-saving three-pointer was all it took to tie the scores in the last 14 seconds, followed by an open layup from Jun Estolas.
Among the team, this will be Estolas, Larry Sharry, Ron Gamboa, and Coach Marvin Deocares’ second QQ title since their victory over the Ferrera Builders last November.
Late-game turnovers haunted the Cagers, along with a handful of misses and a failed three-pointer. Ehroll Peredo landed his usual shots at first – a reverse layup behind Sharry and a fade away against Marvin Rabauliman.
Estolas, bagging four points in the first half, fired back on a series of fast break plays. Angelo Fernando entered in the third quarter, adding eight points on three layups and two free throws.
Pete Iguel assisted Peredo with a layup before landing his own baskets for a 14 total. Marlon De Dios scored six of his 16 points in the third quarter before coming to a halt against a forceful defense from Sharry and George De Guzman.
In an attempt to lift the Cagers in the closing five minutes, Rommel Usi hurried with a three-point field goal but missed.
Rabauliman came through on another board-tapping layup while Mobil piled nine points on free throws. Estolas scored 19, Sharry earned 10, Ruluked tallied 12, and Rabauliman posted a game-high 24 points.
Peredo and Darwin Barbo notched double-digit scores at 21 points each.
The Cagers earlier slipped, 90-74 in game one last Wednesday.
Scores:
Mobil 87 – M. Rabauliman 24, J. Estolas 19, R. Gamboa 12, G. Ruluked 12, L. Sharry 10, A. Fernando 8
Smart Cagers 85 – E. Peredo 21, D. Barbo 21, M. De Dios 16, P. Iguel 14, M. Manalo 9, R. Usi 3, M. Usi 1
Quarterscores: 22-15, 46-39, 71-62, 85-87
Iguel is MVP
Despite settling for runner-up, Smart Cagers’ Pete Iguel still took at the spotlight as the league’s MVP. Teammate Ehroll Peredo followed with the All-Stars MVP title.
The QQ league’s best five this year included Marvin Rabauliman (forward), Jun Estolas (guard), Sonic’s Pete Lizama (forward), Darwin Barbo (center), and Iguel (guard).
Fred Litulumar of the Rollers was declared the ‘3-Point King’ while Ivan De Vero took home the Scoring Machine title.
Konflikt’s Jawn Joyner was given the Best Defensive Player title, Mike Eclevia won Best in Assists, Derrick Aughenbaugh won Best in Block, Giles Ruluked won Best in Rebound, James Abuy won Best in 3-Points, and Blue Hauz’s Rodney Sacramento won Best in Steal.
Zach Babauta also received the Best Sportsmanship award.
The Darling of the Crowd title went to Ferrera Builders’ Mike Cruz.
