Visminda avoids upset axe

Defending champion Visminda-Country House took lightweight Bayani for granted and almost paid for it in the curtain raiser of the 2004 UFO-San Miguel Cup held last Sunday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Bayani played heads-up basketball in the early goings and took the first quarter 23-14.

They continued to play a deliberate game in the second, mostly with center Tim Paez calling the shots from the top of the key, and doubled up Visminda’s score 32-16 at the midway point of the period.

But new acquisition Bing Marasigan would be reinserted by coach Boy Garcia and immediately hit a triple and added two free throws to help Visminda narrow the gap, 39-44, at halftime.

Visminda greeted the start of the third more focused and eventually took the driver’s seat from Bayani. Do-it-all swingman Banjo Basila and veteran slotman Ed Cosino led the uprising that allowed Visminda to enter the fourth and final quarter in control 68-60.

Learning from their complacency in the first half Visminda finished the job in the payoff period and strolled to the 98-85 win.

Basila was named Miller Lite MVP of the game after filling the stat sheet once more with 24 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists. Cosino also played a throwback game wounding up with 20 points and 8 boards.

Streak-shooter Joey Villegas paced Bayani’s gallant effort with 25 points, while Paez came away with 19 points, 10 rebounds, 6 assists, and 4 blocks.

In the second game, Bartenders-Aliviera Sports Bar followed up their scrambling victory against FASA-PABA-CNC Inc. the previous evening by shellacking a winless MDX Amateur Radio Club squad 102-88.

Bartenders didn’t really play their usual game and allowed MDX to stay within striking distance. But that changed once the fourth quarter got underway when the team proceeded to rout the Group A cellar dweller.

Man-mountain Dalewin Cortez had 24 points and 14 boards in the win, while best player of the game Joy Dayrit finished with 17 points 7 rebounds. Martin Moreno matched his jersey number with 23 points for MDX.

Laguna-GEC Pawnshop, meanwhile, continued to rack up wins, scoring its fourth straight after twisting the golden arches of MAFILWA-McDonald’s 87-64 in the third game.

Veteran gunners Ed Palma and Randy Arconado were all over the court and combined for 43 points in the win. Arconado got the nod for best player honors after supplementing his effort with 9 rebounds.

Joseph Achas led the fastfood kings with 13 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 assists. Come-backing center Jimmy Salazar also gave a good account of himself in the loss chipping in 11 points.

SMF-Seabridge then had the season’s easiest win after Cavite-Pacific Islands Club forfeited their match.

On Saturday, Bartenders blew a 19-point third quarter lead but persevered to nip FASA-PABA-CNC Inc. 89-88.

Game MVP Cortez made a tough turnaround jumper and followed it up by burying two pressure-packed gift shots after teenage phenom Kevin Cequena gave FASA an 85-84 lead.

The charities proved crucial in the end as FASA ace Jhun Estolas swooshed a triple from 35 feet out for the final count.

SATURDAY GAME

Bartenders 89 – Edirelon 26, Cortez 23, Garcia 14, Macoto 10, J. Dayrit 8, B. Dayrit 6, Galag 2.

FASA-PABA 88 – Estolas 33, Cequena 18, Peredo 14, De Guzman 9, Guiab 8, Villarin 6, Montano 2.

Scoring by quarters: 24-17, 52-43, 70-57, 89-88.

Referees: Ricky Itaas and Gabriel White.

Sunday

FIRST GAME

Visminda 98 – Basila 24, Cosino 20, Marasigan 14, Vistal 9, De Belen 8, Uy 7, Artates 7, Bicera 5, Joyner 4.

Bayani 85 – Villegas 25, Paez 19, Laitan 15, Rabasto 13, Pineda 6, Agbanlog 2, Hilario 2, Navalta 2.

Scoring by quarters: 14-23, 39-44, 68-60, 98-85.

Referees: Jess Fabula and Jess Pacheco.

SECOND GAME

Bartenders 102 – Cortez 24, Garcia 18, J. Dayrit 17, Edirelon 14, Galag 9, B. Dayrit 8, Alcantara 2.

MDX 88 – Moreno 23, Umali 14, Costales 13, Surima 12, Abadilla 8, Galulu 7, Malasarte 6, Diyco 5.

Scoring by quarters: 27-21, 45-42, 71-62, 102-88.

Referees: Ricky Itaas and Gabriel White.

THIRD GAME

Laguna 87 – Palma 25, Arconado 18, Viola 12, Sumaoang 8, Badilles 7, Aldan 7, Guiang 6, Ochona 2, Poquiz 1, Barrios 1.

MAFILWA 64 – J. Achas 13, Salazar 11, R. Achas 11, Ma. Achas 7, Mi. Achas 7, Tobias 5, L. Achas 4, Corpuz 2.

Scoring by quarters: 20-11, 37-27, 59-51, 87-64.

Referees: Jess Fabula and Noel Delos Santos.

FOURTH GAME

SMF wins via forfeit against Cavite.