Armatech, Soul Jazz pull off upsets

After sneaking into the playoffs, Armatech and Soul Jazz are now just a win away from the finals after each pulling off a pair of big upsets in Tuesday’s playoff round of the 2011 Miller Lite Friendly Invitational Basketball League at the Gualo Rai Basketball Court.

Armatech exacted the first loss of the season for top-seeded Cargo Express-Sea Bridge in a back-and-forth opening match, 83-81; while Soul Jazz stunned Saipan World Resort early and held on to take the late game, 93-92.

Armatech will challenge Soul Jazz tonight at 6pm with the winner receiving an automatic berth into the finals. Cargo Express and World Resort will then square off in the 8pm must-win late match to stay alive.

In the first match, Lerio Pagarao led Cargo Express with 12 points in the first quarter as his team managed a slim 21-20 edge.

Cargo Express then stretched its lead to 44-38 at the half. Pagarao sunk a pair of threes and four other teammates provided support in the second quarter. Ivan De Vero led Armatech with 16 points in the opening half.

Pagarao added eight markers after the break, but Armatech pulled within two-possessions, 60-64, heading into the last quarter. Five of its players chipped in on the action in the third period.

Armatech’s Martin Moreno nailed two big threes in the fourth quarter to go with six other points as Armatech took the lead in the final minutes.

A layup by Moreno put them ahead, 80-76, with 40 seconds on the clock, but Cargo Express played good defense and forced a 24-second violation.

Armatech’s Bruce Berline then fouled out, putting Cargo Express’ Rocyl Ritual on the line; he made both shots to make it, 78-80.

Armatech’s Elmer Esdrelon was fouled soon after and answered with two pressure-packed free throws with 19 seconds remaining and Moreno did a good job milking the clock at the end.

Moreno and De Vero teamed up for 46 points in the game, while Pagarao led all scorers with 32.

In the late match, Soul Jazz built an early 23-19 lead in the first period as seven players put a hand on offense.

Soul Jazz maintained its two-possession lead at the half, 46-42, and continued to spread the ball around as eight players contributed on offense in the second quarter. World Resort’s Wowie Abuel tallied 16 points in the first half to keep his team in the game.

World Resort’s Dennis Vinas came off the bench with 12 markers in the third quarter to help trim the deficit to a point, 64-65, with 10 minutes to go, but Soul Jazz’s Freddie Pelisamen showed up big at crunch time with 15 points as the team fended off the late rally.

Pelisamen finished with a game-high 35 markers, while Vinas turned in 32 in the loss.

Armatech 83[/B] – Moreno 24, De Vero 22, Esdrelon 17, Berline 11, Rebuyon 5, Montano 2.
[B] Cargo Express 81[/B] – Pagarao 32, Ritual 14, Lerio 12, L. Itaas 11, Jung 7, Rotap 3, Lavarias 2.
[B] Scoring by quarters:[/B] 20-21, 38-44, 60-64, 83-81.

Soul Jazz 93[/B] – Pelisamen 35, Je. Mina 18, Aquino 13, Ruluked 11, Efraim 6, Inos 5, Johanes 4, J.R. Mina 1.
[B] World Resort 92[/B] – Vinas 32, Basila 28, Abuel 13, Navarro 9, Morales 4, Wabinga 4, Ramos 2.