Bayani-Shirley's cruised to a pennant-clinching win over MIFICPA, 106-71, in the 7th United Filipino Organization Inter-Organizational Basketball League last Sunday at the JP Center Basketball Court in Garapan.
The win was fifth in six games for Bayani and it finished the regular season on top of the team standings, assuring the team the pennant and a bye in the first round of the playoffs.
The loss was fifth in as many games for MIFICPA and it absorbed its sixth defeat in as many games after bowing to Cabalen last Monday, 79-95.
Cabalen played its penultimate game in the regular season last Sunday, but its match over Northern Marianas Bartenders Association was suspended due to rain at halftime. Cabalen led NMBA-Ebisuya, 55-49.
When the game resumed Monday night, NMBA stole the win, 110-107, giving the team its third straight win and the No. 2 seeding in the playoffs. NMBA actually finished the regular season tied with Bayani, but the former dropped to the No. 2 spot as it lost to the latter in their only meeting this season.
Cabalen had several chances to pull off the win when it moved within three, 107-104, going into the last one two minutes of the game. However, back-to-back missed layups by Emir Abuan and Robert Guiang, coupled with the latter's two errors and Cabalen's muffed free throws in the closing minutes helped NMBA steal the game.
Guiang made his last error when he lost the ball on his way to the basket. He claimed he was fouled and continued to contest the non-call, prompting referee Lito Salas to charge him with a technical foul.
Amor Casabuena made two charities to increase the lead. NMBA kept the possession and with less than 20 seconds left in the game, Casabuena had a mental lapse when he dribbled toward the Cabalen court and canned a left-handed layup. The shot was nullified and he was called for a backing violation. With 11 seconds left and NMBA ahead, 110-106, Guiang split his charities and Mina muffed an undergoal stab to peg the final score.
Cabalen finished the regular season at the No. 4 spot with its 3-3 slate, following a 16-point triumph over the winless MIFICPA.
While NMBA struggled a bit in its last game, Bayani had little problems securing the top ranking in the seven-team field, as they drew big contributions from the prolific duo of Jun Tabora and Ronald Delos Reyes.
Tabora top-scored for Bayani with 28 points, while Delos Reyes chipped in 22.
Three other Bayani players scored in double figures, making up for the absence of Ed Palma, who had already left the island and would no longer play in the playoffs.
Edel Carino tallied 17, Bobby Vargas added 15, and Nestor Cantos drilled 14.
Tabora nicknamed “Smoking Gun” was blazing early, as he canned 12 points in the first quarter to give Bayani a 27-14 lead.
Bayani played no let up in the next three quarters and all that MIFICPA could do was watch its foe pad the lead.
Darwin Gonzales led MIFICPA's losing cause, hitting 18 markers. Hector Sevilla was the only other MIFICPA player to score in double digits with his 12 points.
Sunday's Game
Bayani 106 - Tabora 28, Delos Reyes 22, Carino 17, Vargas 15, Cantos 14, Domingo 8, Mateo 2.
MIFICPA 71 - Gonzales 18, Sevilla 12, Musca 8, Leong 7, Moscoso 6, Madridejos, Generoso 6, Ancheta 4.
Scoring by quarters: 27-14, 45-28, 73-43, 106-71.
Monday's Games
First Game
NMBA 110 - Rebuyon 35, Casabuena 19, Santos 14, Macoto 14, Tobias 13, Olivos 8, Abedes 2, Fer 2.
Cabalen 107 - Guiang 30, Mina 22, Fernandez 10, Abuan 10, Andales 10, Pacheco 8, Castro 4, Ramiez 4, Conti 2.
Scoring by quarters: 26-30, 49-55, 85-78, 110-107.
Second Game
Cabalen 95 - Conti 22, Pachecho 20, Mina 19, Andales 14, Guiang 14, Abuan 6, Valdez 2.
MIFICPA 79 - Gonzales 21, Hernandez 14, Leong 11, Ebuen 10, Madridejos 8, Dacumos 8, Sevilla 4, Ancheta 3.
Scoring by quarters: 23-21, 40-39, 73-52, 95-79.
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