Cabalen holds on to beat SIP

Cabalen-RP Construction/Transamerica dominated most of the first half and held on with key baskets and a strong defensive effort in the final minutes to edge Samahang Ilokano at Pangasinense-Flor A. Miranda, 75-67, in the continuation of the Budweiser-Coca Cola 6th UFO Inter-Organizational Basketball League Sunday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The battle of powerhouse teams was one-sided in the early goings as Cabalen controlled the first quarter and opened up a 22-8 lead.

The spread ballooned up to 17 points, 36-19, as Cabalen continued to push all the right buttons to the delight of their fans, but just when it seemed the team was about to blow the game wide open, SIP coach Rufino Aguon inserted his reserves, who came through and went on a furious 12-0 run capped by a triple by sniper Brian Flores to close the half down by just five points, 31-36.

SIP eventually clawed to within a point and finally tasted the lead when Jester Garcia buried a long-range jumper, 43-42, with 5:20 left in the third quarter. Cabalen, however, recovered and went on an 8-0 run to close the quarter in front, 52-46.

As anticipated, crunch time was tightly fought as both teams battled with all their might in hopes of streaking ahead.

Cabalen held several two-point leads, but the determined SIP cagers kept their relentless charge and managed to regain the lead, 64-63, on a 3-pointer by Junar Guiab with under four minutes remaining.

That was the last time SIP held the lead though as Cabalen’s Darwin Barbo made good on a layup and converted the extra point, Ed Palma hit two free throws, and Ronald Delos Reyes swooshed a reverse layup in the paint for a 70-64 lead.

Cabalen then sealed the deal with five more free throws and successful defensive stands to prevent an SIP comeback.

Delos Reyes led Cabalen with 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Palma, Barbo and Dalewin Cortez supported them with double digit scoring.

Elmer Esdrelon and Guiab paced SIP with 14 and 12 points.

Earlier, SMF-Shell defeated Bayani-HBR International, 89-78, while CNMI POWER blew by Bibak-Island Card, 97-48.

FIRST GAME

SMF 89 – Sison 20, Itaas 17, Demegillo 9, Moses 9, Lerio 6, A. Tagle 6, Banatasa 6, Delfin 5, Cayetano 4, B. Tagle 2, Robles 2, Badilles 2, Jugos 1.

Bayani 78 – R. Tordilla 23, Guzman 14, Agbanlog 14, Borja 13, Villaluz 4, E. Tordilla 2, R. Hilario 2, F. Villaluz 2, M. Hilario 2, Poquiz 2.

Scoring by quarters: 16-20, 46-34, 70-56, 89-78.
Referees: Dado Vistal and Noel Delos Santos.

SECOND GAME

CNMI POWER 97 – Camacho 22, Tabora 12, Barrios 9, Usi 8, Dela Cruz 7, Macoto 7, Galag 6, Lauron 6, Pagkaliwagan 6, Pickell 4, Carino 4, Ritual 4, Dela Torre 2.

Bibak 48 – Padolina 10, Casabuena 10, Miranda 8, Ong 4, Pacheco 4, Batoon 3, Sanciangco 3, Ardales 2, Cantos 2, Vargas 2.

Scoring by quarters: 23-12, 43-30, 69-36, 97-48.

Referees: Jess Pacheco and Manny Sitchon.

THIRD GAME

Cabalen 75 – Delos Reyes 14, Palma 12, D. Barbo 10, Gatdula 10, Ocampo 8, Cortez 8, Pineda 5, Arnedo 4, Mungcal 4.

SIP 67 – Esdrelon 14, Guiab 12, Factor 9, Tamondong 8, Garcia 7, Flores 5, Ja. Villacrusis 4, Jo. Villacrusis 4, Edm. Mendoza 2, Eds. Mendoza 2.

Scoring by quarters: 22-8, 36-31, 52-46, 75-67.

Referees: Dado Vistal and Arnold Mesa.