PSS’s Jacoby Winkfield goes up for the shot in between two defenders during a playoff game of the 2023 R&J Wine and Liquor Inter-Government/Business League at the Ada gym on Tuesday.
PSS’s Mii Tekopua pulls up for the three-point shot over a defender during a playoff game of the 2023 R&J Wine and Liquor Inter-Government/Business League at the Ada gym on Tuesday.
PSS and the Office of the Governor are one step closer to a shot at the title in the 2023 R&J Wine and Liquor Inter-Government/Business League after defeating their respective opponents in the double-elimination playoffs on Tuesday at the Ada gym.
PSS held their ground long enough to slip past Priority Care, 84-76.
The first quarter was filled with several lead exchanges. Roger Valencia and Mii Tekopua started the run for PSS, but their output was matched by Priority Care’s Marvin Rabauliman, Alfred Manglona and Ramon Agulto.
Priority Care’s Matthew Duenas and Bryce Maratita then delivered additional buckets, but PSS’s Tyler Palacios stepped up with a three-pointer and was fouled in another attempt from beyond the arc. He then drained all three free throw shots to tie the score, 19-19.
In the second canto, the momentum started to shift toward PSS’s favor. Their defensive coverage was their biggest asset as they contested nearly every shot, and with each successful stop they capitalized on the other end with Melvin Sakisat and Tekopua combining for 15 points to seize a nine-point lead, 43-34.
Priority Care reassessed their strategy and returned from the halftime break with a new plan — feed Steve King and Duenas.
King ignited the third period with nine points while Duenas delivered seven points to get their team back within reach, 55-58.
Both teams gave it their all in the fourth and final quarter with King and Duenas still at the frontline for Priority Care. However, they failed to stop Sakisat’s one-man show as he scored 17 points to lead PSS to victory, 84-76.
Office of the Governor vs CPA
Joining the winner’s circle was the Office of the Governor, which outlasted CPA, 77-73.
The Office of the Governor set the tone in the opening quarter with Vince Igitol converting a three-pointer while Juan Camacho dominated the paint with eight points. For his part, Athan Taisague contributed two buckets for a 20-11 advantage.
CPA had a rough start, but they made their comeback during the second period. David Camacho made his presence known from within the perimeter while Lius Cepeda and Donovan Brennan added range with a couple of triples to erase the deficit, 34-30.
However, fatigue started to affect CPA’s performance in the third quarter.
Thanks to pressure defense, CPA missed several shots and allowed the Office of the Governor to regain control with Igitol and Leo Galarse reigniting their team’s momentum with back-to-back makes while Jack Aranda took over with 11 points — including two consecutive three-pointers — for a double-digit spread, 64-48.
But the game was not over as CPA cooked up another rally in the fourth and final quarter.
After shutting down nearly all of Office of the Governor’s main scorers, CPA worked their way back starting with two triples by Brennan followed by Michael Mancao’s six points.
The pair continued to deliver but the Office of the Governor’s Aranda and Camacho scored a triple and a bucket from underneath the rim to maintain the upper hand, and then used the time to their advantage to seal the deal, 77-73.
Scores:
PSS 84 – Melvin Sakisat 31, Tyler Palacios 14, Mii Tekopua 14, Preston Basa 11, Roger Valencia 7, Jacoby Winkfield 7, Marlon Cabrera 2, Walter Mendez 1
Priority Care 76 – Matthew Duenas 25, Steve King 22, Ramon Agulto 10, Marvin Rabauliman 6, Bryce Maratita 6, Alfred Manglona 3, Justice Aldan 2, Tyson Elameto 2
***
Office of the Governor 77 – Jack Aranda 19, Vince Igitol 16, Juan Camacho 14, Leo Galarse 9, Timmy Pangelinan 7, Athan Taisague 6, Gerald Flores 6
CPA 73 – Donovan Brennan 21, Michael Mancao 15, David Camacho 12, Frank Robert 10, Zack Diaz 6, Luis Cepeda 5, Jacob Tomokane 2, Luis Ogo 2
