Saipan Tribune

Saturday, May 25, 2013

Monday, October 15, 2012

Estolas' buzzer-beater lifts Mobil vs Hi-Five

Hi-Five put on a tight leash on Mobil's Jun Estolas almost all night only to let him loose and can the game-winning basket in the last nine seconds of the game.

Estolas' right baseline jumper lifted Mobil to a 90-88 victory over Hi-Five in the second game in the 2012 Emon Lodge 179 Basketball League-Docomo Brotherhood Cup last Thursday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

With the win, Mobil kept the No. 2 spot in the nine-team field with its 6-1 record, while Hi-Five absorbed back-to-back losses after winning four straight games and fell to a 4-3 card.

Estolas' buzzer-beater was only his second field goal of the night. The Mobil gunner was alternately hounded by the pesky defense of Jesus Iguel and Dan Barcinas, who held the former scoreless in the first half before giving up one field goal early in the fourth quarter.

Despite Estolas' lackluster performance, Mobil coach Marvin Deocares still went to his go-to-guy down the homestretch. Deocares sued for time after Barcinas' trey tied the match. 88-all, and instructed his players to give the ball to Estolas and provide screens. The Mobil guard then received the inbound pass, drove to the right baseline with Banjo Basila blocking off Iguel first before Gyles Ruluked gave up another screen to free Estolas for the 5-footer dagger right at the buzzer.

With Estolas struggling, Marvin Rabauliman took the cudgels for Mobil early on and his 10 points power his team to a 29-17 advantage. Hi-Five then regrouped in the second period and Barcinas finished the half with five straight points to grab the lead, 45-43.

The game remained close in the third before Mobil managed to gain some breathing space, as Hi-Five sat out its starters in the closing minutes. Mobil went on to take a 66-59 advantage at the end of the fourth, but Hi-Five wiped out the lead with its three-point shooting. Hi-Five made four triples in the final canto, including Barcinas' equalizer, but collapsed on defense in the end, allowing Estolas to steal the win.

Archers 70, Armatech 62

In the first game, the Archers (3-4) recorded their third win in a row after beating Armatech (1-6).

The Archers held Armatech to 6 points in the third quarter and hung tough in the fourth to extend their winning streak.

Armatech faced a manageable deficit at halftime, 30-42, but fell on a deeper hole in the third canto when it scored only three field goals and none of its players made more than 2 points. The Archers were also a bit off in the third, but their 11 points were enough to pad their lead, 53-42, with only one quarter left.

Rodney Sacramento and Elmer Esdrelon tried to anchor an Armatech rally in fourth, but fell short, as Ivan Devero, JR Barrios, and Kae Bernardo delivered timely baskets to keep the Archers in the driver's seat.

Devero top-scored for the Archers with his 30 points, while Bernardo and Barrios chipped in 15 apiece.

First Game

Archers 70 - Devero 30, Bernardo 15, Barrios 15, Flores 4, Musni 2, David 2.

Armatech 62 - Sarmiento 20, Je. Ano 10, Esdrelon 10, Ja. Ano 8, Joyner 6, Trajano 6.

Scoring by quarters: 20-16, 42-30, 53-36, 70-62.

Second Game

Mobil 90 - Rabauliman 25, Ruluked 16, Tumaquip 12, Basila 10, Gamboa 8, Peredo 7, Camacho 4, Estolas 4, Fernando 4.

Hi-Five 88 - Barcinas 25, Rasa 22, Standish 17, Villacrusis 9, Iguel 6, Mendiola 4, Acosta 3.

Scoring by quarters: 29-17, 43-45, 66-59, 90-88.