Hoops scoop fourth straight win

The UPAA/Docomo Hoopaholics are still on a roll, notching their fourth straight win after outclassing VisMinda/Satbahi, 94-84, in the second game in the UFO Inter-Organization Basketball Friendship League 2011 Bud Cup last Sunday night at the TSL Sports Complex.

The trio of James Villacrusis, Kelvin Fitial, and Dave Sablan did the damage for the Hoops with the latter scoring a string of seven points in the homestretch to foil VisMinda’s last-minute rally.

The Hoops led by as much as 12 early in the fourth canto before VisMinda launched a comeback midway. Five straight points off Marlon Sison’s triple and Manolo Manalo’s layup sliced the lead to four, 85-81, with 1:52 left on the clock.

The Hoops sued for time and when game resumed Sablan hit a back-breaking trey to give his team more cushion. The daredevil wingman also connected on a drive and a free undergoal stab in the ensuing plays to ensure the Hoops’ victory.

Sablan finished with 24 points. He, Fitial, and Villacrusis combined for more than half of the Hoops’ total production, as the trio teamed up for 71 points. Four VisMinda players scored in double figures, but Elgene Mangali (21), Marlon De Dios (16), Sison (14), and Tom Santos’ (11) total output of 63 fourth was still eight points short of the combined points of the Hoops’ triple-threat.

Mangali canned two early triples for VisMinda’s 24-20 lead at the end of the opening period. The second quarter was an even match, as VisMinda and the Hoops gunners were both on target in that canto, which ended with the latter ahead by only a hair, 44-43.

Sablan, who was held to two field goals in the first half, finally proved his worth in the third period, tallying 11 markers, nine of them were scored in succession. Villacrusis chipped in eight in that canto and the Hoops stretched the lead to seven, 69-62, entering the final quarter. Mangali, who finished with 12 points in the first half, was scoreless in the third frame.

In the payoff canto, Fitial picked up where Villacrusis and Sablan left off, knocking in three triples early on. The defense of VisMinda’s big men sagged in the paint, allowing Fitial open looks for long jumpers. When Fitial stopped popping triples, Sablan took over and hit clutch shots to save the Hoops’ winning streak and hand VisMinda its second loss in five matches.

In the curtain-raiser, MAFEA/Ali’i Konflikt routed MDX/Blue Haus, 102-83.

Ali’i Konflikt improved to an even 3-3 slate, while MDX fell to a dismal 0-6 mark.

A fourth-quarter juggernaut lifted Ali’i Konflikt to the 19-point win, as MDX failed to match its foe’s scoring run in the final canto. Ali’i Konflikt exploded for 40 points in the fourth period against MDX’s 25.

MDX was behind by only four at the end of the third period, 58-62, and even led at the break, 43-39, before Ali’i Konflikt began hitting triples in the payoff quarter to steal the win. J.R. Barrios fired three treys, Jawn Joyner had two, and Jomary Tumaquip made one. MDX logged only three triples and the last two game when Ali’i Konflikt had already broken the game wide open.

Joyner paced Ali’i Konflikt with 24 points, while Barrios added 21. Elmer Esdrelon and Ivan Devero contributed 13 apiece. Ed Diaz led all scorers with his 33 markers.

MAFEA/Ali’i Konflikt 102 – Joyner 24, Barrios 21, Devero 13, Esdrelon 13, Aquino 9, Guiab 8, Tumaquip 7, Mendoza 5, Talania 2.

MDX/Blue Haus 83 – E. Diaz 22, Palacios 12, Babauta 11, Lauron 10, Tenorio 9, Z. Diaz 8.

Scoring by quarters: 17-17, 39-43, 61-58, 102-83.

UPA/Docomo Hoopaholics 94 – Villacrusis 26, D. Sablan 24, Fitial 21, Mendez 7, Lee 6, Manibusan 6, Villagomez 2, Palacios 2.

VisMinda/Satbahi 84 – Mangali 21, De Dios 16, Sison 14, Santos 11, Inos 8, Manalo 7, Barbo 5, Aquino 2.

Scoring by quarters: 20-24, 44-43, 69-62, 94-84.