Top teams lord it over in UFO return

Teams lording it over both pools of the 6th UFO Inter-Organizational Basketball League played well and went home on the winning side this weekend in the roundball competition’s return to the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

On Sunday, Pool A second-seed LIPS-Mobil was taken to the limit and barely got by MDX Amateur Radio Club-Armatech with a down-the-wire 97-95 victory.

MDX showed no signs of rust in the early goings and leaned on the play of guard Martin Moreno and power forward Elbyn Cecilla to take the early lead. Moreno knocked in two bombs from long range and was hot for 15 points, while Cecilla worked for nine points as MDX held a seven-point advantage after 10 minutes of play, 33-26.

It took a while but LIPS finally got going and turned things around by dominating the second period. Andres “Jhun” Estolas Jr. waxed hot from beyond the arc and had 13 points as LIPS turned their deficit into a two-point lead at the break, 56-54, after outscoring their opponents, 30-21.

Estolas cooled off a bit but LIPS was still able to cling to their lead behind a balanced-attack that helped the team pad their advantage to three points, 76-73, with one quarter remaining.

Cecilla tried to get MDX over the hill and punched in three baskets plus three free throws, but key shots by Estolas and Rowel Aranda was enough to lead LIPS to victory.

Estolas finished with a game-high 32 points, while Aranda and Kevin Cequena added 17 points apiece. Aranda also pulled down 13 rebounds.

Cecilla had 27 points and 11 rebounds to lead MDX, while Moreno and center Marlon De Dios added 22 and 21 points. De Dios also had 16 rebounds.

Earlier, defending champion Visminda-Tambayan/Nel Atalig had its way against Bayani-HBR International and kept its perfect record intact with a 117-75 victory.

Visminda had six players finish in double figures with Errol Peredo leading the way with 32 points. Lester Babauta and Jawn Joyner had 23 and 21 points, while Ed Cosino, Pando Muleta, and Ronnel Gamboa each had 11 or more points.

On Saturday, Pool B leader Cabalen-RP Construction/Transamerica was too much for Bibak-Island Card en route to a 129-82 victory.

Center Delwin Cortez had a fiesta inside and scored 27 points and four blocks to lead the 6-0 squad.

Meanwhile, Samahang Ilokano at Pangasinense-Flor A. Miranda had a tough time without the services of Jason Amado but still came up with big plays to beat CNMI POWER-Mayor Juan B. Tudela 84-78.

SUNDAY
FIRST GAME

Visminda 117 – Peredo 32, Babauta 23, Joyner 21, Cosino 16, R. Gamboa 12, Muleta 11, Cachero 2.

Bayani 75 – Borja 18, F. Villaluz 15, Aglubat 14, Poquiz 12, M. Hilario 9, Pineda 7.

Scoring by quarters: 19-13, 42-33, 71-54, 117-75.

Referees: Noel Delos Santos and E. Artillaga.

SECOND GAME

LIPS 97 – Estolas 32, Ro. Aranda 17, Cequena 17, Villarin 8, Soriano 6, Espinosa 5, Artates 4, Abuy 3, Diaz 2, Bernabe 1.

MDX 95 – Cecilla 27, Moreno 22, De Dios 21, Mendoza 11, Umali 9, Pambid 3, Malasarte 2.

Scoring by quarters: 26-33, 56-54, 76-73, 97-95.

Referees: Dado Vistal and Arnold Mesa.

SATURDAY
FIRST GAME

Cabalen 129 – Cortez 27, Dalangin 23, Palma 12, Canlas 12, Ocampo 10, Arnedo 10, Sampang 7, Delos Reyes 6, D. Barbo 6, Mungcal 5, Gatdula 4, Pineda 3, G. Barbo 2.

Bibak 82 – Pacheco 20, Padolina 18, Miranda 16, Batonn 12, Casabuena 8, Sanciangco 6, Rodilla 2.

Scoring by quarters: 25-16, 53-35, 93-51, 129-82.

Referees: Abner Venus and Jess Pacheco.

SECOND GAME

SIP 84 – Garcia 17, Factor 16, Esdrelon 11, Jo. Villacrusis 10, Guiab 10, Mendoza 8, Tamondong 6, Mendiola 4, Ja. Villacrusis 2.

CNMI POWER 78 – Camacho 25, Tabora 19, Pagkaliwagan 14, Usi 6, Dela Cruz 5, Ritual 5, Macoto 4.

Scoring by quarters: 19-21, 35-38, 58-56, 84-78.

Referees: Dado Vistal and Jess Pacheco.