Armatech moves on to Miller caging finals

Armatech outlasted Soul Jazz, 86-81, in last Thursday’s 2011 Miller Lite Friendly Invitational Basketball League winner’s bracket semifinals held at the Gualo Rai Basketball Court.

Meanwhile, Cargo Express-Sea Bridge edged World Resort Saipan, 100-97, in overtime of the loser’s bracket knockout game that followed the main event.

Cargo Express took on Soul Jazz in last night’s win-or-go-home semifinal to see who will challenge Armatech in tonight’s championship.

Then after the finals, the losing team will battle fourth-ranked World Resort in the battle for third. The awards presentation is scheduled to take place after the games in Gualo Rai.

Individual winners include regular season most valuable player Lerio Pagarao of Cargo Express; scoring champ Freddie Pelisamen of Soul Jazz; best in steals Zack Babauta of host team Pacific Trading-Miller Lite; best in rebounds Edwin Santos of Blue Haus; best in blocks Jawn Joyner of the Ebisuya Fixers; best in assists Ziddy Johannes of Soul Jazz; and 3-point king Jun Pantaleon of Inchcape.

Team award winners include Bracket A pennant champions Blue Haus and Bracket B’s Cargo Express, while Brabu Pharmacy won the team sportsmanship honor.

In the first game, Elmer Esdrelon exploded for 17 points in the payoff period, including the final three free throws to lead Armatech to the five-point victory.

Armatech took the driver’s seat early as Ivan De Vero scored his team’s first nine points of the game that staked the team to a 22-13 lead in the opening period.

De Vero also led the second quarter charge with 11 more markers as Armatech pressed on to a 50-35 halftime advantage.

Soul Jazz’s Pelisamen and Gyles Ruluked were held to a combined 23 points in the first half.

Defense tightened up on both sides in the third quarter and the count shifted to 63-49 in favor of Armatech as both teams traded baskets in the period.

Soul Jazz erupted for 32 points in the fourth, but it wasn’t enough to offset Esdrelon’s big finishing kick.

Esdrelon and De Vero teamed up for 54 points, while Soul Jazz’s Ruluked turned in 26 in the loss. Regular season scoring champ Pelisamen was limited to just 16 points in the game.

In the knockout match, Cargo Express’ White Capalad sunk four from the stripe for his only points in the game before Sonny Lerio buried the final five pressure-packed free throws to lead their team to the overtime victory against World Resort.

Earlier in the fourth quarter, Lerio came off the bench to connect on a 3-pointer and a free throw in the final minutes to force extension.

Cargo Express actually took the initiative in the first two quarters of the match before ceeding control of the game to World Resort.

Kelvin Fitial hit two long balls and a total of nine points to help give Cargo Express a 24-13 lead in the opening 10 minutes.

World Resort’s Dennis Vinas answered with 10 points in the second quarter as his team clawed back to within a bucket, 38-40, at the half.

World Resort carried the momentum after the break and managed a 61-58 lead heading into the final period. Vinas and Banjo Basila combined for 18 points in the third quarter.

Vinas tallied 12 more markers in the last period of regulation, but Cargo Express hung around in time for Lerio to force overtime then tag-teamed with Capalad to preserve the victory from the free throw line.

World Resort’s Vinas and Basila outscored Cargo Express’ Pagarao and Fitial, 64-49, but the latter received more support from the bench.

Armatech 86 – Esdrelon 28, De Vero 26, Berline 10, Moreno 9, Gabaldon 6, Montano 4, Rebuyon 3.

Soul Jazz 81 – Ruluked 26, Pelisamen 16, Inos 14, Aquino 13, Mina 11, Johanes 1.

Scoring by quarters: 22-15, 50-35, 63-49, 86-81.

Cargo Express 100 – Pagarao 24, Fitial 23, Itaas 16, Lerio 11, Ritual 11, Jung 7, Capalad 4, Rotap 4.

World Resort 97 – Basila 35, Vinas 29, Abuel 16, Morales 7, Tabamo 6, Navarro 2, Ramos 2.

Scoring by quarters: 24-13, 40-38, 58-61, 81-81, 100-97 (OT).