A late-game push from Namfrel-Proa’s Jack Lizama and Pete Iguel buried the defending champions, 93-83 during Tuesday’s game of the United Filipino Organization Basketball League-Budweiser Cup at the Tan Siu Lin Sports Complex.
Even powerhouse players Elmer Esdrelon and Ivan De Vero couldn’t find their edge after slipping on passes in the fourth quarter.
Lizama sealed the game with nine of his 12 points, piling eight rebounds with three steals. Keone Chariton and Pete Iguel added nine and six points, respectively to drive the last nail in the Konflikts’ coffin.
Team Proa spared no time in the offense, with Lizama, Iguel, and Dan Barcinas landing double-digit scores. Barcinas kept the team in shape with seven assists and seven rebounds.
“We did ok, we just hung in there and worked hard,” Proa coach Rufino Aguon told Variety. “We had a man-to-man defense all the way to the end.”
Aguon gave his starters a break before dismantling the Konflikts in the closing eight minutes.
Despite a 10-point deficit, Esdrelon rallied one last time with two three-pointers and a jumper. He posted four steals and three assists with seven rebounds. Brandon Talania, who couldn’t get his hands on the ball, scored only two points in the fourth quarter.
Proa’s Charles Johnson came on and off the court to hold Proa’s pace. He tallied eight points, Gino Libuw scored seven, and Mendiola and Joshua Sablan earned six each.
Since losing to Visminda-Satbahi last Sunday, team Konflikt has yet to win a match.
The Proas hope to win their next game on Saturday.
Scores:
Namfrel-Proa 93 – P. Iguel 22, J. Lizama 12, D. Barcinas 11, K. Chariton 9, C. Johnson 8, G. Libuw 7, P. Mendiola 6, J. Sablan 6, J. Valdez 4, K. Ogumorro 3, M. Babauta 3, J. Camacho 2
Ali’i Konflikt 83 – I. De Vero 22, E. Esdrelon 18, J. Barrios 15, J. Joyner 14, B. Talania 10, J. Guiab 2, B. Camacho 2
Quarterscores: 18-14, 44-38, 69-57, 93-83
Mobil 88, Andoks 84
In an earlier game, Bayani-Mobil’s Jun Estolas and Ron Gamboa tallied 21 and 20 points, respectively to down Cavite-Andoks, 88-84.
Despite Estolas’ absence in the first half, team Mobil had no problems holding their two-point lead. Gamboa hammered two easy three-pointers in the first quarter while Peter Lizama and Larry Sharry scored two points each to keep Andoks away.
Andoks’ leading scorer Pando Muleta eventually gained momentum and garnered 11 of his 19 points in the third quarter.
Mobil fell behind, 60-64 but was rescued by combined efforts from Gamboa and Gyles Ruluked. Both players added eight points each with five from Estolas.
Not even double digit scores could prevent team Andoks from falling, with Joy Dayrit scoring 16 points, Tim Wesley piling 14, and Cris Camacho earning 14.
Lizama mustered 16 points and Ruluked totaled 12 to secure Mobil’s first regular season win.
Scores:
Bayani-Mobil 88 – J. Estolas 21, R. Gamboa 20, P. Lizama 16, G. Ruluked 12, G. Gapor 5, L. Sharry 4, J. De Guzman 4, D. Aughenbaugh 4, L. Factor 2
Cavite-Andoks 84 – P. Muleta 19, J. Dayrit 16, T. Wesley 14, C. Camacho 14, J. Artates 11, M. Olaitiman 10
Quarterscores: 15-13, 34-32, 60-64, 88-84
Youth, masters league coming up
Meanwhile, the UFO’s upcoming Youth and Masters Basketball League-Docomo Cup is set to launch on August 14, 2 p.m. at the Civic Center Basketball Court.
The youth division consists of players 15-20 years old while the masters division includes 40-and-above players.
The opening ceremony and first game will be held at the Civic Center. The second and third games will be moved to the Tan Siu Lin Sports Complex.
“The main aim of this league, as it has been for the past years is to foster friendship, commitment, and camaraderie among UFO member organizations through competitive sports and to encourage good health,” said the UFO in a press release.
Entrance fee is $350 for the youth division and $500 for the masters division. This does not include team uniforms. Teams will provide their own uniforms with assigned colors from the UFO league organizers.
All team coaches, players, and sponsors must confirm their rosters and entry fees as soon as possible.
Teams that have signed up in the masters division include: MDX Amateur Radio Club-Armatech Team, Association of Filipino Presidents-Ed Yalung, Samahang Ilokano and Pangasinense-Andoks Grill, and Marianas Filipino Engineers and Architects-Hector Sevilla.
The youth division includes: MDX Amateur Radio Club-Armatech Team, Samahang Laguna-Unity Lions Club, Northern Marianas Bartender Association-G-Rollers, Samahang Manggagawang Filipino-Melvin Demonteverde Team, and Samahang Ilokano and Pangasinense-Flor Miranda Team.
A meeting will be held on Friday, August 5, 6 p.m. at the Civic Center Pavilion. For more information, call 287-5525 or 287-6046 or send an email to [email protected] or [email protected].
