Even if they win over Trinity Estate tonight, tying with either the Prospects or the Hoopaholics will be the best record the Fixers could get prior to the pre-final skirmishes.
It won’t be worse, however, if the Hoopaholics would let loose of the momentum they are now getting when they clash with the Xterminators in tonight’s second game.
Elmer Esdrelon did not score in the second quarter like he should on Wednesday, but the Fixers managed to race it away with 12-point lead.
Jhun Estolas blasted from behind the three-point arc and basketed three free throws, and Freddie Pelisamen who hibernated in the second period poured-in eight of his 16 points to help the Xterminators take the lead in the third quarter.
After hitting a three for the Fixers, Esdrelon reaped from foul calls and made his five bonus shots. But that was their weakest quarter already as the Xterminators’ grip on their offense started to tighten up.
Pelisamen and Pando Muleta scored five and six points in the final quarter respectively and the Xterminators outscored the Fixers for an 84-79 victory.
Noni Saipan 86, Cholos 79
Kelvin Bernardo scored 28 points, Ivan Devero and Luis Abuel had 18 points apiece and Noni Saipan never trailed as it cruised to 86-79 victory over the Cholos.
Abuel tripled while Devero and Bernardo fired eight markers apiece to set the lead in the first quarter.
Abuel fired a pair of three-pointers while Devero and Bernardo continued the surge to stretch the lead to 12 points in the second quarter.
Raynard Aranda scored 15 of his 21 points and Won Joo Jung had nine of his 19 points and the Cholos closed-in towards the end of the third period.
Bernardo, Devero and Abuel chipped-in four points apiece and Noni Saipan protected their lead.
Scores:
Xterminators 84 – J. Estolas 22, P. Muleta 20, F. Pelisamen 16, K. Fitial 7, J. Guiab 6, L. Factor 5, B. Talania 5, J. De Guzman 2.
Fixers 79 – J. Barrios 19, J. Artates 16, B. Berline 13, E. Esdrelon 12, M. Capalad 8, W. Capalad 8.
Quarterscores: 17-24, 35-48, 66-62, 84-79
Noni Saipan 86 – K. Bernardo 28, L. Abuel 18, I. Devero 18, B. Demapan 9, D. Pantaleon 4, J. Galvez 3, S. Lerio 3, J. Tamayo 3.
Cholos 79 – R. Aranda 21, J. Wong 19, P. Lizama 13, J. Kapileo 9, D. Apatang 6, M. Itibus 5, B. Coldeen 4, D. Mendiola 2.
Quarterscores: 28-19, 49-37, 69-61, 86-79
