2nd-half surge lifts Blue Eagle to title win

Blue Eagle’s Brendon Talania’s shot, right, is challenged by Shirley’s Coffee Shop’s Greg Sablan during the first half of their title match in the Open Division of the United Filipino Organization IT&E 2019 Basketball League last Sunday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Kimberly A. Bautista)

Blue Eagle clinched the Open Division crown in the United Filipino Organization IT&E 2019 Basketball League following a 100-82 win over Shirley’s Coffee Shop last Sunday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

After engaging Shirley’s Coffee Shop in a seesaw battle in the first half, the Blue Eagle glided past its opponent in the second en route to the 18-point winning margin in the one-game finale.

The first half ended with Shirley’s ahead by a deuce, 55-57, but that precarious lead was easily overhauled by the Blue Eagle, as Douglas Schmidt, Jaymark De Guzman, and Jack Lizama teamed up in the pivotal third-quarter surge. De Guzman scored 9 points, Schmidt added 8, and Lizama chipped in 5 to hand Blue Eagle an 80-68 advantage.

Shirley’s, after going toe-to-toe with the favored Blue Eagle, fell behind in the third period, as its gunners fired blanks in the penultimate frame. Matt Duenas, who finished the half with 19 points, was held to one field goal in the third canto and no Shirley’s player made more than one basket in that period. John Jugos was the top scorer for Shirley’s in the third canto after knocking in two triples.

Duenas continued to struggle in the fourth quarter, leaving Freddie Pelisamen the tough task of bringing Shirley’s back into title contention. However, Pelisamen’s efforts were no match to Blue Eagle’s balance offense, as the eventual champion still drew baskets from Lizama and De Guzman, while Preston Basa and Ponce Rasa also hit the board for the squad to keep their comfortable lead.

Schmidt led six Blue Eagle players in double figures, as he finished with 24 points. Lizama added 16, De Guzman logged 14, Bart Demapan and Basa chipped in 12 apiece, and Darwin Barbo recorded 10.

Duenas still paced Shirley’s with his 23 points, while Pelisamen contributed 15. Gerald Flores also had twin digits with 10, but was held to one field goal in the entire second half.

Meanwhile, Eats Easy The Game won the consolation match against Islander Rent A Car last Saturday, 85-79.

Jun Fidelino delivered 29 points, while Michael Torregoza and Prince Factor recorded 18 and 14, respectively. The trio scored all of Eats Easy’s baskets in the fourth quarter.

Shirley’s Coffee Shop’s Dennis Mendiola, center, splits the defense of Blue Eagle’s Darwin Barbo, left, and Preston Basa during the second half of their title match in the Open Division of the United Filipino Organization IT&E 2019 Basketball League last Sunday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Kimberly A. Bautista)

Finals
Blue Eagle 100—Schmidt 24, Lizama 16, De Guzman 14, Basa 12, Demapan 12, Barbo 10, Rasa 4, Ashburn 3, Libuw 3, Talania 2.
Shirley’s 82—Duenas 25, Pelisamen 15, Flores 10, Mendiola 8, Jugos 6, Lisua 5, Diaz 5, Aranda 5, Sablan 3.
Scoring by quarters: 27-28, 55-57, 80-68, 100-82.

Third Place
Eats Easy 85—Fidelino 29, Torregoza 18, Factor 14, Erdene 4, Arellano 7, Cabaltica 4, Sablan 3, Dayao 2.
Islander 79—Mintac 24, Pastrano 20, Viray 13, Andrew 10, Rotual 8, Mangali 4, Santos 4.
Scoring by quarters: 30-20, 44-49, 66-65, 85-79.