SSFM delivers in homestretch, tops MV

SSFM’s Dan Barcinas, right, pulls up for a running jumper and draws a foul from Marianas Variety’s Alex Standish during the closing minutes of their game in the San Antonio summer caging last Monday at the San Antonio court. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

SSFM played steadier in the closing minutes of its game against Mariana Variety to earn a 72-67 victory in the curtain-raiser in the 2017 San Antonio Summer Basketball League last Monday at the San Antonio court.

SSFM entered the last two minutes of the match down by a deuce, 61-63, and ended up taking the 5-point win after holding Marianas Variety to one field goal in the homestretch.

Dan Barcinas delivered the clutch baskets for SSFM, scoring 6 straight points off back-to-back and-1 plays. His first 3-point play gave SSFM the lead, 66-63, and came after a pair of free throws from Andrew Palino tied the match. Barcinas then converted a running jumper off a missed shot from Marianas Variety on the other end and also drew a foul on Alex Standish. The former Mt. Carmel School standout completed the 3-point play to extend SSFM’s lead, 69-63.

Another botched attempt from Marianas Variety returned possession to SSFM and Palino made a layup to up their advantage to 8, 71-63, with 32 seconds left in the game. Marianas Variety then ended its silence in the ensuing play when Angelo Factor faked off the defense of Barcinas and canned a triple, 66-71.

Palino tried to counter and overshot his mark, while Ivan Devero pulled up from downtown and missed, but was fouled, giving Marianas Variety a chance to move closer. However, Devero went only 1-for-3 from the stripe, missing his first free throw and canning the second before getting caught stepping on the line after releasing his third shot.

SSFM got the possession back after Devero’s violation and sued for time before going for the inbound play. When the game resumed, Marianas Variety was forced to give up a foul on Tony Raho, who split his charities to make it a two possession game, 72-65, down to the last 7 seconds in the match.

The scores did not change as Factor missed a corner triple at the buzzer.

Three SSFM players broke into double figures in their win against Marianas Variety with Andrew Ashburn leading the way with his 19 points. Barcinas chipped in 16, while Palino added 10.

Ashburn also anchored SSFM’s offense in their 103-40 demolition of 5 Star Construction last Saturday. The shooting forward sizzled for 26 points and drew a lot of help from his teammates to maul 5 Star Construction. Nathan Kapileo contributed 19, Edong Echaves and Palino had 14 apiece, while Barcinas and Gino Libuw logged 12 and 10, respectively.

SSFM built a double-digit lead early, 22-6, behind the 8 first-quarter points of Ashburn and by the end of the third period, the eventual winning team was miles ahead, more than doubling 5 Star Construction’s output, 74-31.

Monday Game
SSFM 72 – Ashburn 19, Barcinas 16, Palino 10, Lester 8, Libuw 8, Raho 4, Santos 4, Echavez 3.
Marianas Variety 67 – A. Factor 19, Devero 18, Standish 17, Manibusan 6, Younis 3, Babauta 3, Supetran 1.
Scoring by quarters: 17-12, 30-34, 54-49, 72-67.

Saturday Game
SSFM 103 – Ashburn 26, Kapileo 19, Echavez 14, Palino 14, Barcinas 12, Libuw 10, Daniel 6, Santos 2.
5 Star Construction 40 – Galang 10, Guinto 9, Tiano 7, Pino 5, Boltron 5, Castillo 4.
Scoring by quarters: 22-6, 46-17, 74-31, 103-40.