SIP and Bayani tweak their foes

With an injection of youth and leadership from its remaining veterans, SIP-Verizon began the 2004 season of the UFO-San Miguel Cup on a high note.

The three-time champions used their newfound quickness and some timely 3-point shooting to whip dark horse Bartenders-Alleviera, 83-72, Thursday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The game was a contrast of strategies with each team playing to their advantage. SIP tried to run as often as it can and drove and dished off when limited to a halfcourt set – usually with deadly results from rainbow country. Bartenders, meanwhile, threw the ball down low where 6’3” Dalwin Cortez resided.

After a 17-17 first quarter, SIP got a bit of breathing space in the second quarter with its brat pack getting fastbreak points aplenty and the score at halftime was 40-33 in favor of the Verizon-backed squad.

Bartenders greeted the start of the third a bit sluggishly and fell behind by double digits. The team sponsored by Alleviera Sports Bar was smothered by SIP’s aggressive halfcourt defense, focused on double and triple teaming Cortez.

SIP also helped its cause by going berserk from the 3-point line. Fortunately for Bartenders, a late third-quarter run – led by its bench – sliced its deficit to 51-57 going into the fourth and final quarter.

In the payoff period, SIP got momentum back with some crisp passing and key defensive stops. National team player Jester Garcia also bombed away from the outside, scoring 7 of his 9 points in the quarter.

The team would eventually hold on to the lead, as the game’s best player Jayson Amado and veteran Gilbert Espinosa put on the finishing touches.

Amado led SIP with 14 points, while Espinosa and playing-coach Rick Alegre drilled in 13 and 12, respectively. Alegre also had 6 assists, hauled in 17 rebounds, and had 3 steals.

Cortez paced Bartenders with 23 points and 10 boards, while the trio of Marco Garcia, Elmer Esdrelon, and Bogs Dayrit chipped in 12 points or better.

In the first game, Bayani tripped LIPS-Jam Construction, 73-65, as former Rotary leading scorer Reynaldo Camacho rediscovered his shooting touch.

The 6’0” power forward led all scorers with 16 points but it was the play of former Mapua dribbler Tim Paez that drew waves. Paez pumped in 13 points and the same number of rebounds.

LIPS was led by the 14 points of ex-Bicol point guard Reynaldo Pe and Bayani castoff Manny Guimalan.

The UFO-San Miguel Cup resumes this weekend with Visminda taking on Laguna in curtain raiser Saturday. After the 6:30pm first game, Cabalen and FASA hit the floor for the second game beginning 8pm.

Sunday’s tripleheader pits SMF against Bayani in the 2pm first game, Bicol taking on MDX in the 4pm second game, and LIPS squaring off versus Cavite in the 6pm third game.

First Game

Bayani 73 – Camacho 16, Paez 13, Parayno 10, Rabasto 6, Tan 6, Villegas 6, Laitan 5, Agbanlog 5, Pineda 4, Guzman 2,

LIPS 65 – Pe 14, Guimalan 14, Cantos 14, Catilo 6, Nato 6, Villanueva 6, Guinto 4, Mariano 2.

Scoring by quarters: 15-18, 38-37, 57-50, 73-65.

Second Game

SIP 83 – Amado 16, Espinosa 13, R. Alegre 13, G. Garcia 9, Mendiola 9, Diaz 7, Villacrusis 7, Flores 6.

Bartenders 72 – Cortez 23, Garcia 14, Esdrelon 13, B. Dayrit 12, J. Dayrit 2, Bojocan 2, Palma 2, Sitchon 2, Macoto 2.

Scoring by quarters: 17-17, 40-33, 57-51, 83-72.