Undefeated Easy Riders clinch 1st open finals spot

Undefeated Easy Riders have a flair for the dramatic as they fought tooth-and-nail against erstwhile undefeated Checkpoint, 62-60, to clinch the first open division finals spot of the Inaugural SMEC-SMLEG Invitational Basketball Tournament 2023 last Wednesday at the Gualo Rai Basketball Court.

Checkpoint came back in the last five minutes from a once imposing 11-point deficit, but came up short as Easy Rider’s Cris Diwa made sure his drives sunk in to get the lead and keep it—despite a last ditch effort from Checkpoint’s Coby Santos to tie up the game.

It was tied, 54-54, with less than three minutes left and the favor switched to Checkpoint’s side as Keith Santos made both free throws to lead by 2 points, 56-58. It was still anybody’s game as their pace sped up while seconds ticked by just as fast.

The Easy Riders were stumped while Checkpoint’s lead grew, 58-54, from a follow-up basket by Keith and their man-to-man defense. But Easy Riders weren’t to be counted out as with less than a minute left, Diwa found opportunities to get them within one point, 57-58, after a fast-break layup and free throws.

Easy Riders’ Andrew Ashburn then took back the lead with a jumper, 61-58, then was fouled right after and gave them a 4-point lead.

When it seemed like there was no more fight left for Checkpoint—with less than 10 seconds left—Coby set up for a 3-pointer and was fouled. He made two in and missed the last shot to get within 2 points of the Easy Riders, but time was just not on their side as it expired before they could tie up the game.

Checkpoint’s momentum and drive were unmatched in the first quarter as they came out guns blazing from within the paint and outside the perimeter from sharpshooting duo of Coby and Keith Santos. They led the Easy Riders, 22-17, by the end of the first quarter.

However, Easy Riders then came bounding back in the second and third quarter and had a little breathing room with a 59-39 lead that came crashing down at the end of the fourth.

Diwa scooped up 16 markers, while Ashburn collected 10. For Checkpoint, Coby sank 21, while Keith was right behind with 18.

Earlier in the night, The Game-Eats Easy eliminated CK Saints from contention, 57-55, and now awaits their last semis game against Checkpoint for the last finals spot.

Easy Riders 62 – Diwa 16, Ashburn 10, Camacho 9, Padayao 8, Ferrer 6, Gaviola 5, De Guzman 3, Velasco 3, Domine 2.

Checkpoint 60 – C. Santos 21, K. Santos 18, Castro 6, Aranda 4, Quan 3, Kim 3, Dela Cruz 2, Sablan 2, Camacho 1.

Scoring by quarters: 17-22, 34-29, 51-39, 62-60.