Wings Travel’s Brandon Talania launched an all-out assault in the first quarter, scoring 10 points. After two free throws, he was joined by Bruce Berline at the basket. Buraot’s Dave Sablan tried to snatch the ball in the rebound, but crashed to Berline instead.
Angelo Fernando took on the Wings’ defense with Sablan, shooting two quick jumpers. Falling nine points behind, the Buraots had ample time to catch up.
Buraot’s Gil Gapor faced Berline in the rebound, shooting a two-pointer. Helped by Robert Guiang, Berline still had the upper hand. With Sablan in the sidelines, Fernando had his chance to score. Driving the ball, he was double-teamed by Berline and Darin Keizer. Their efforts still didn’t stop him from tying the game 34-34.
Refreshed and energized, Sablan started the third quarter with a clean three-pointer. Things heated up when he was fouled by Wings Travel’s Tony Diaz and Keizer. Sablan later paid back with a free throw.
Back in the court, Talania assists Diaz in the offense. With time in their hands, Diaz and Keizer shot back-to-back three-pointers. Sablan took on Keizer again, but faced Edmark Mendoza instead. Powerful blocks from Mendoza had Sablan and Fernando scurrying for the ball.
Team Buraot faltered in the last minutes of the game, giving Talania and Diaz more leeway. In a hurry to tie the game, Sablan tried several three-pointers but only made one. Even Fernando couldn’t match up to the Guiang and Mendoza, who made eight points in the final quarter.
The Wings led the game with 77-67. The Buraots have been the fourth team eliminated from the league, right after the Westerners, Saimar Pilots, and Cellular Pros. Team Atalig-Atalig Associates will be playing against the IT&Es in tonight’s match. The Pacific Grocers and Ferrera Builders will continue their match on Thursday, 7 p.m.
Scores:
Wings Travel 77 – B. Talania 20, R. Guiang 16, T. Diaz 13, B. Berline 13, D. Keizer 5, E. Mendoza 5, B. Aquino 3, D. Morales 2
Team Buraot 67 – D. Sablan 25, A. Fernando 22, A. Capuli 8, G. Gapor 6, Simoy 4, R. Odicta 2
Quarterscores: 23-14, 34-34, 55-51, 77-67
