“We were on a winning streak and they put us on our feet.”
Namfrel-Proa’s Pete Iguel unleashed a stunning offensive in the final quarter, sinking three three-pointers to demolish the Hoops, 105-83 in the 2011 United Filipino Organization-Budweiser Cup at the Tan Siu Lin Sports Complex last Tuesday.
Iguel posted double digits in the last 10 minutes alone, scoring 15 out of 40. Jack Lizama and Charles Johnson each added 14 and Dan Barcinas aided their rally with 12.
The Hoops, taking their second loss, still stood a chance with a nine-point deficit two minutes into the fourth period. Diaz was out of the second half after injuring his arm on a steal attempt. Dave Sablan popped a series of layups before the final buzzer, but Proa sailed away on field goals from Iguel and Johnson.
Led by coach Rufino Aguon, Proa may end the regular season undefeated should they win their make-up game against Cabalen-Noni tonight.
Kelvin Fitial backed the Hoops in the defense, scoring 10 rebounds with one steal from Barcinas.
Proa — now with seven wins — wouldn’t budge off the top of the scoreboard as Iguel drove the team on a 40-30 run just seconds after a timeout from the Hoops.
Sablan didn’t back down, taking on both Lizama and Barcinas for a hook shot. He led the Hoops with 30 points while Fitial scored 13.
Proa’s dominated the court with a sturdy line-up, despite the absence of Pete Mendiola and Juan Camacho.
As the open division enters the playoffs, its top seed has yet to be determined between Proa and Noni.
The top team will draw a bye in the quarterfinals. Teams ranked second to seventh will play elimination games on October 2 and 4.
Scores:
Namfrel-Proa 105 – P. Iguel 40, J. Lizama 14, C. Johnson 14, D. Barcinas 12, K. Chariton 7, K. Ogumorro 5, J. Sablan 4, J. Valdez 4, G. Libuw 3, M. Babauta 2
UPAA-Hoops 83 – D. Sablan 30, J. Villacrusis 18, K. Fitial 13, M. Cabrera 10, G. Palacios 7, M. Manibusan 3, W. Mendez 2
Quarterscores: 25-22, 49-40, 65-53, 105-83
Wings Travel marches to finals
In the first game, the masters division’s top ranked Cabalen-Wings Travel clinched an 87-63 win over Mafea-RNV to advance to the finals.
RNV suffered its second playoff loss since falling to Visminda-Piahi last week.
Tony Diaz and Edsel Mendoza scored 24 and 22 points, respectively to hand Wings Travel a seat in the championship.
A brutal collapse in the second quarter initiated RNV’s downfall, as Wings Travel ruled the first half, 45-27.
Diaz maintained his poise through the third period, blasting three baskets after back-to-back shots from center Edwin Santos.
Team RNV inched forward on a 20-point deficit, recovering on four free throws from Dado Vistal and Ed Cosino. Wings Travel outscored them, 23-20 in the closing 10 minutes as Pineda and Cosino failed to squeeze in a basket.
Mafea-RNV will now settle for third or fourth place in a consolation game on October 4.
Wings Travel’s Eric Atalig garnered 12 points while Mike Cruz and Felix Palacios added six apiece.
Wings Travel 87 – T. Diaz 24, E. Mendoza 22, E. Atalig 12, M. Cruz 6, F. Palacios 6, R. Morales 5, E. Santos 4, A. Ocampo 4, A. Macoto 2, R. Verano 2
Mafea RNV 63 – D. Vistal 20, E. Manalili 12, E. Cosino 10, F. Dela Torre 6, Canoy 5, H. Sevilla 4, E. Pineda 4, J. Gurney 2
Quarterscores: 14-12, 45-27, 64-43, 87-63
