Inchcape, Armatech advance

Inchape and Armatech survived the first round of the playoffs in the 4th Annual Miller Lite Friendly Basketball League after beating separate foes on Friday night at the Gualo Rai Basketball Court.

Inchcape battled from behind for most of the game and then stepped up big in the fourth quarter to oust Ebisuya Fixers, 71-67. In the second game in the single-elimination playoffs, Armatech knocked off Brabu Pharmacy, 91-84.

The Fixers were eliminated despite shooting ahead, 18-8, behind their solid defense and a couple of late three-pointers by Jawn Joyner and Chris Lansang.

Inchcape fought back in the second quarter and managed a slim 27-26 edge at halftime. Kae Bernardo and Bart Demapan led the team’s recovery, as they combined for 13 markers in the second period.

In the third period, the Fixers roared back and pulled ahead, 49-42. Joyner and Jun Abedes tallied eight points apiece in the third quarter to help the Fixers reclaim the driver’s seat

However, Bernardo and Demapan teamed up anew in another Inchcape uprising with the former delivering 15 points in the payoff canto and the latter adding 11 to steal the win.

Bernardo led all scorers with 30 points, while Joyner turned in a team-high 21 in the loss.

In the second game, Armatech led from start to finish to eliminate Brabu.

Elmer Esdrelon scored five points in the opening period to give Armatech a 14-10 advantage.

Then Armatech stretched its lead to 34-29 at the half, as Ivan Devero nailed six quick points to start the second quarter and Esdrelon closed the period with five more markers.

Armatech kept its distance at the end of the third frame, 60-53. Then in the fourth quarter, J.R. Ngeskebei and Elmer Esdrelon combined for 13 points with the latter hitting five free throws in the closing minutes to secure the win. Esdrelon finished with 26 points, while Brabu’s Randy Mungcal came out with a game-high 28 on the short end.

The Miller Lite playoffs will continue tomorrow tonight with Armatech taking on Mobil at 6pm and Soul Jazz battling Inchcape at 8pm.
[B] First Game[/B] [B]Inchcape 71[/B]– Bernardo 30, Demapan 21, Pantaleon 9, Tabora 8, Mallari 2.

[B]Fixers 67[/B]– Joyner 21, Abedes 16, Bicera 7, Artates 6, Wesley 6, Lansang 5, C. Camacho 4, Cosino 2.
[B] Scoring by quarters:[/B] 8-18, 27-26, 42-49, 71-67.

[B]Second Game

Armatech 91[/B] – Esdrelon 26, Ngeskebei 21, Devero 17, Moreno 10, Berline 6, Rebuyon 4, Galulu 3, Gabaldon 2, Montano 2.

[B]Brabu 84[/B] – Mungcal 28, Kimbal 15, Cortez 13, Ito 10, Brillo 6, Montes 5, J. Camacho 5, Detera 4.

[B]Scoring by quarters:[/B] 14-10, 34-29, 60-53, 91-84.