Not even a few falls could stop James Villacrusis and Dave Sablan as the Hoops ended a strong second half, 94-84 during the 2011 United Filipino Organization Basketball League-Budweiser Cup at the Tan Siu Lin Sports Complex.
Despite losing grip on a couple of passes, Kelvin Fitial still trumped Satbahi on a jump shot late in the third quarter.
Satbahi’s Elgin Mangali and Perry Inos drew some confidence after taking the lead, 24-20 in the first quarter. Both scored a combined 14 points at first but fell to Sablan’s steady offensive.
The Hoops slowly turned the tables on two blocks from Mel Manibusan and Villacrusis’ countless rebounds. Sablan – pulling a few tricks from his sleeve – faked a jumper to avoid Mangali and sent the crowd roaring with his typical layup.
The court soon heated up with a series of collisions between Darwin Barbo and Villacrusis. The former crashed to the ground in a rebound attempt but returned to action seconds later.
The Hoops entered the second half one point ahead and stretched their lead, 69-62 by the final period. Satbahi, having ample time to recover, missed on several fast break plays and collapsed in the last three minutes.
Despite his loss, Marlon Dedios tallied two steals, one assist, three blocks, and six rebounds for Satbahi.
Diaz lifted the Hoops on six assists with five rebounds and two steals. Villacrusis top scored at 26 points, Sablan scored 24, and Fitial garnered 16.
Scores:
UPAA-Hoops 94 – J. Villacrusis 26, D. Sablan 24, K. Fitial 16, W. Mendez 7, M. Manibusan 6, J. Lee 6, J. Villagomez 2, G. Palacios 2
Visminda-Satbahi 84 – E. Mangali 18, M. Dedios 16, M. Sison 14, T. Santos 14, P. Inos 8, M. Manalo 7, D. Barbo 5, G. Aquino 2
Quarterscores: 24-20, 43-44, 62-69, 84-94
Konflikt 102, Blue Haus 83
In an earlier match, defending champion Mafea-Konflikt made quick work of team MDX-Blue Haus, 102-83.
Jawn Joyner led Konflikt with 24 points as he sliced through the court on high flying layups. Fellow score leader JR Barrios piled 21 points, pulling away in the closing eight minutes with 13.
Both teams reached a 17-17 deadlock in the first quarter, but it was only a matter of time before Joyner and Ivan Devero took control of the court.
Blue Haus briefly pulled away, 39-43 at the end of the first half before slipping on possession in the third quarter. Team Konflikt capitalized on their misses as Devero posted his last six points. Joyner and Aquino added three and four, respectively. Blue Haus’ Zack Babauta settled for 11 points after a scoreless fourth quarter. Zack Diaz, Alex Lauron, and Dexter Tenorio garnered only six more points in a failed attempt to shut Konflikt.
Devero and Elmer Esdrelon scored 13 points each, Junar Guiab earned eight, and Aquino bagged nine.
Scores:
Mafea-Konflikt 102 – J. Joyner 24, J. Barrios 21, I. Devero 13, E. Esdrelon 13, B. Aquino 9, J. Guiab 8, J. Tumaquip 7, E. Mendoza 5, B. Talania 2
MDX-Blue Haus 83 – E. Diaz 33, A. Lauron 13, Palacios 12, Z. Babauta 11, Z. Diaz 8, D. Tenorio 6
Quarterscores: 17-17, 43-39, 58-62, 83-102
