Toyota a step closer to Bud Cup three-peat

Two-time defending champion Bud Light-Toyota Tundra moved one step closer to fulfilling a three-peat after turning back a determined MARPAC-Nissan Titans squad, 88-82, in a down-the-wire finish in Game 1 of their best-of-three championship series in the 2005 Budweiser Cup BANMI Men’s Island-wide Basketball League.

Intense action was showcased during the bout Monday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium as both teams proved they were hungry for the win.

Toyota opened with a bang and took the early lead as big man Abong Camacho dominated the paint and scored eight points, while Taj Van Buren and playmaker Elias Rangamar had 10 and seven markers, with Van Buren burying three triples for a 27-18 lead.

The Titans, however, weren’t rattled and swung favor to their corner with a stronger second quarter performance that gave them a taste of the lead.

Jawn Joyner hit five unanswered points and added two more as the Titans returned the favor with a run of their own and went on a 13-4 tear to knot the score at 31-31. Just seconds later, guard Dave Palacios found the bottom of the net to give the Titans the lead and Aleric Aguon attacked and closed the Titans’ push with eight straight points as MARPAC limited Bud Light to just eight points and headed into the break with a 41-36 lead.

Toyota managed to recover and came storming back as the second half got underway. Camacho worked his magic in the paint and muscled in 16 points, while Edsel Mendoza and Junior Renguul knocked in big shots as Toyota kicked into turbo mode and turned their five-point deficit into a 13-point advantage by outscoring their opponents, 30-12, for a 66-53 lead with one quarter remaining.

Toyota held on to their double-digit lead, but the Titans weren’t going down without a fight and put up a furious blast in the final two minutes to close in. A free throw and a triple by Joyner with 1:38 left brought the team to within nine points, 76-85.

Joyner then hit another bucket and Aguon swooshed two free throws to pull to within five, 80-85, with 57.8 seconds left.

Nissan continued to pull the right strings as Tim Wesley was fouled in the paint and connected on both free throws to put Nissan within striking distance with 38 ticks left on the clock, 82-85.

The Titans, who had already converted on two straight turnovers, got another lift as Aguon stole an inbounds pass for another possession, but the Titans failed to close in as Joyner missed a layup and Rangamar was sent to the line, where he hit a free throw to give Toyota some breathing room, 86-82.

Renguul was then fouled and hit both charity shots for the final result.

Camacho dominated the shaded lane and finished with a game-high 34 points, while Van Buren added 13 points. Romeo Iginoef and Renguul finished with 12 points apiece, with Iginoef scoring 10 in the pivotal fourth period.

Joyner led Nissan with 26 points while Aguon and Andres Estolas supported him with 18 and 10 points.

Game 2 will be played tonight at 7pm. The Titans must win to extend the series while a victory by Toyota wraps up the 2005 season.

Meanwhile, Bud Ice-SaipanCell Hoopaholics won the consolation game with a thrilling 85-80 victory over O’Douls-Ol’Aces.

Peter Mendiola had a strong start and hit 11 points in the first stanza for a 22-12 Hoops lead, but the Ol’Aces came back in the second and pulled to within five at the break, 38-43.

With momentum in their corner, the Ol’Aces pulled even and moved ahead, 59-58, with one quarter left.

The two teams then traded baskets throughout the fourth period, with the lead changing hands on many occasions. Hoops led, 81-80, and came up with a huge defensive play to pad their lead, 83-80, before cashing in on a fast break layup right before time expired.

Mendiola led Hoops with 25 points while Jeremy Sablan and Jason Amado contributed 19 and 17 points. John Sablan also had 12 points.

Shan Seman led the Ol’Aces with 16 points, while Mel Tagabuel and Jack Lizama added 15 and 14 points. Ambrose Ogumoro also chipped in 13 points.

Consolation Game

Hoops 85 – Mendiola 25, Je. Sablan 19, Amado 17, Jo. Sablan 12, Garcia 8, Fejeran 3.

Ol’Aces 80 – Seman 16, Tagabuel 15, Lizama 14, Ogumoro 13, Dillay 8, Barcinas 4, Iguel 4, Kapileo 4, Olaitiman 2.

Scoring by quarters: 22-12, 43-38, 58-59, 85-80.

Referees: Jess Pacheco and Arnold Mesa.

Championship Game

Toyota 88 – Camacho 34, Van Buren 13, Iginoef 12, Renguul 12, Rangamar 9, Mendoza 8.

Nissan 82 – Joyner 26, Aguon 18, Estolas 10, Wesley 7, Fitial 6, Palacios 4, S. Rasa 4, Deleon Guerrero 4, Peters 3.

Scoring by quarters: 27-18, 36-41, 66-53, 88-82.

Referees: Noel Delos Santos and Dado Vistal.