LIPS boots out CNMI Power

LIPS-Mobil rallied in the final minutes to thwart the upset hopes of CNMI Power-Mayor Juan B Tudela in Saturday’s lone game in the Budweiser-Coca Cola 6th UFO Basketball League at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

LIPS’ 92-87 come-from-behind victory eliminated CNMI Power from further action in the all-Filipino basketball competition, while at the same time furthering the Mobil-backed squad’s own ambition in gaining entry to the finals.

It was easy going early for LIPS, as they went ahead 25-16 after the opening quarter as Ed Soriano and crack guard Andres “Jhun” Estolas Jr. took care of the offensive load with six points apiece.

LIPS continued to dictate the tempo of the ballgame in the second, as Rotary standouts Roel Aranda and Kevin Cequena flexed their muscles combining for 14 of the team’s 20 points in the period to help their team nurse a 45-39 spread at halftime.

Forward Reynaldo “Badong” Camacho, meanwhile, was slowly having a career game. After unloading 19 points in the first half, the reed-thin forward exploded for 17 points in the third canto, as CNMI Power overtook LIPS and took a 73-66 lead heading into the final 10 minutes of the contest.

CNMI Power continued to keep LIPS at bay in the opening minutes of the payoff period, as Camacho and spitfire Jun Tabora hit crucial baskets.

However, LIPS eventually caught up with them and both teams exchanged baskets before Estolas and Aranda frustrated CNMI Power with consistent shooting from the 15-foot line.

Aranda and Estolas led LIPS with 27 and 26 points, respectively. Estolas also contributed five assists and three steals. Cequena, for his part, filled up the stat sheet with 13 points, nine rebounds, five assists, three steals, and the same number of blocks.

The loss spoiled a remarkable effort by Camacho, who finished with 42 points, 10 rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Tabora wound up with 10 points, while roadrunner J.R. Barrios finished with 11 for CNMI Power.

The second game pitting Cavite-Country House against 287 Club-McDonald’s was reset for yesterday, but results like those of the two other games, were still not available as of press time.

LIPS-Mobil 92 – Aranda 27, Estolas 26, Cequena 13, Soriano 12, Villarin 6, Espinosa 4, Surima 2, Artates 2.

CNMI Power 87 – Camacho 42, Barrios 11, Tabora 10, Carino 8, Pagkaliwanagan 8, Usi 4, Dela Cruz 4.

Scoring by quarters: 25-16, 45-39, 66-73, 92-87.

Referees: Jess Pacheco and Eric Artillaga.