Masters Construction, Ol’Aces win in Bud Cup debut

Action in the 2005 Budweiser Cup BANMI Men’s Island-wide Basketball League kicked off with a blast Monday night, with Michelob-Masters Construction fighting back from an eight-point halftime deficit to beat two-time defending champion Bud Light-Toyota at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The defending champions got off to a good start, with their touch from beyond the three-point line doing much of the damage. Elias Saralu nailed two bombs while Taj Van Buren and Wayne Pua added one apiece, lifting Toyota to an 18-15 advantage after the first period.

Toyota continued to have thing swinging in their favor and managed to pad their lead in the second quarter. Van Buren added another triple plus three other field goals for nine points as Toyota outscored Masters Construction, 25-20, for an eight-point breathing room at the break, 43-35.

The game was far from over and Masters Construction knew it. The team entered the second half determined to erase their deficit, and did so as veteran Tony Diaz, who was limited to four points in each of the first two periods, broke loose and tormented the opposition for 10 points, leading a balanced attack that ended with their goal accomplished.

At the end of three quarters, both teams were back at square one as the score was even at 60-60.

Things continued to get better for Masters Construction as they carried their momentum to the payoff period. The team’s trio of Diaz, Ed Diaz, and Dave Sablan shouldered much of the offensive load and wounded up taking the advantage away from Toyota.

Tony Diaz saved the best for last and torched the net for another 16 points in the last 10 minutes, including scoring eight of his team’s final nine points to put the icing on the debut cake.

He finished with a game-high 34 points to lead Masters Construction, while both Sablan and Ed Diaz supported with 20 points apiece.

Saralu led Toyota with 21 points, nine coming from long range, while Van Buren and forward Romeo Iginoef punched in 15 and 13 points. Guards Junior Renguul and Elias Rangamar also added 12 points apiece.

In the second game, O’Douls-Ol’Aces tipped off with a bang and never looked back for a 101-83 victory over Budweiser-Wells Fargo.

Teenager Jack Lizama was on fire from the start and played a key role for the Ol’Aces, exploding for 15 points including hitting three bombs from downtown as the team worked up 30 points while holding Wells Fargo to 11 points after 10 minutes of action.

Jack Palacios and Joe Villacrusis helped Wells Fargo bounce back from their slow start, combining for 13 of the team’s 21 points, keeping the Ol’Aces from expanding their lead.

The Ol’Aces kept a firm grip on their advantage as action resumed in the second half. Both teams posted runs of their own in the third period, but in the end, both eventually matched each other point for point and the Ol’Aces remained ahead by 19 points with one period remaining, 75-56.

Wells Fargo was not ready to raise the white flag and began inching closer at the start of the fourth stanza. Guard JR Ngeskebei nailed three straight shots from long distance and the Ol’Aces quickly saw their lead drop to just 11 points.

Ol’Aces, however, managed to recover courtesy of long range shooting of their own and quick transition to build the lead back up to comfortable margin before settling for the 18-point win.

Mel Tagabuel led the Ol’Aces with 23 points including hitting five triples, while center Ambrose Ogumoro and Lizama finished with 22 and 17 points. Guards Shan Seman and Dan Barcinas also chipped in with 15 and 12 points.

Gus Palacios led Wells Fargo with 19 points while Ngeskebei added 17 points. John Palacios, Jack Palacios, and Villacrusis also finished in double figures with 11 points apiece.

First Game

Masters Construction 91—Ton. Diaz 34, E. Diaz 20, Sablan 20, Kalen 7, D. Hocog 5, Tom Diaz 5.

Toyota 83—Saralu 21, Van Buren 15, Iginoef 13, Renguul 12, Rangamar 12, Pua 3, Celes 3, Taitano 3.

Scoring by quarters: 15-18, 35-43, 60-60, 91-83.

Referees: Noel Delos Santos and Jess Pacheco.

Second Game

Ol’Aces 101—Tagabuel 23, Ogumoro 22, Lizama 17, Seman 15, Barcinas 12, Kaipat 8, Dillay 2, Kapileo 2.

Wells Fargo 83—G. Palacios 19, Ngeskebei 17, Jo. Palacios 11, Ja. Palacios 11, Villacrusis 11, G. Palacios 4, Brian 4, R. Palacios 3, McKnight 3.

Scoring by quarters: 30-11, 51-32, 75-56, 101-83.

Referees: Noel Delos Santos and dado Vistal.