Docomo makes finals, IT&E ousts Quichocho

Docomo Pacific booked the first finals ticket in the 2009 BANMI/Budweiser Basketball League following an 81-79 win over Diamond Auto Care Monday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Making it to the finals first completed an uphill climb for Docomo, which finished the regular season only at fifth place with its 5-7 record. Docomo won its first game in the playoffs against IT&E, 88-81 and stunned pennant champion CNMI Nationals, 112-106, before outclassing Diamond to advance to the finals.

Diamond, which finished second in the regular season with a 7-5 slate, topped the Runnin’ Rebels in its first playoff game, 72-61 and downed Ol’Aces, 89-76, before bowing to Docomo.

The Auto Fixers dropped to the loser’s bracket, but still have a chance to gain the last finals seat on April 13. Diamond has two wait for results of two more games before knowing its next foe.

IT&E, which ousted Quichocho Law Office via an 82-73 victory in Monday night’s first game, will face the CNMI Nationals tonight at 8pm. The winner of the Nationals-IT&E tiff will then duel Ol’Aces this Friday at 7pm at the Garapan Basketball Court.

The victor of the Good Friday match will challenge Diamond Auto Care for the last finals berth. Whichever team takes the last championship ticket will have to beat Docomo twice to gain the title.

Game 1 of the finals is set for April 15 and Game 2, if necessary, will be played on April 17.

Mark Wallace led Docomo’s two-point win over Diamond, firing 34 points. He and Christopher Paul canned one free throw each in the closing seconds of the fourth quarter to help preserve Docomo’s victory.

Paul also finished in double figures with 11 points.

Diamond missed key players Elmer Esdrelon and Bruce Berline, who were playing on Tinian the same night the Auto Fixers faced Docomo.

Docomo was also without gunner Ryan Sanciangco and big man Kelvin Fitial, who were also on Tinian, playing for Pacific Islands Club. But with Wallace and Paul in town, Docomo hardly felt Sanciangco and Fitial’s absence.

Quichocho was hit hard by the absence of its six players, who were also on Tinian. Quichocho fell behind by 10 early in the first, 11-21, and never recovered from thereon.

IT&E 82 – De Dios 18, Mendiola 18, Abuel 11, Montano 11, De Vero 8, De Guzman 6, Ranola 4, Mercurio 3, Artates 1.

Quichocho Law Office 73 – Lerio 36, Itaas 18, Demapan 8, Tagle 7, Pantaleon 4.

Scoring by quarters: 21-11, 44-32, 66-48, 82-73

Docomo 81 – Wallace 34, Paul 11, Ja. Villacrusis 9, Palacios 8, Rasa 8, Manibusan 5, Lee 4, Mendez 2.

Diamond 79 – Joyner 18, Peredo 17, Talania 12, Guiab 8, Gamboa 6, Brostom 6, Muleta 4, Fernandez 4, Camacho 3, Dayrit 1.

Scoring by quarters: 22-14, 42-37, 63-61, 81-79.