MAFILWA wins debut on cliffhanger

MAFILWA-McDonald’s should thank its lucky stars after the last team to see action in the 2004 UFO-San Miguel Cup pulled off a 59-57 squeaker against Cavite-PIC in the nightcap Friday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Ahead by 3 points, Cavite let Joseph Achas drill a game-tying triple with time winding down in the ballgame. With only seconds left on the clock the hoteliers tried to steal the game but an outlet pass intended for Raymond Tolentino was intercepted and Achas again delivered on the other side scoring the marginal points.

It was a well fought out game with Cavite taking the upper hand in the opening quarter, 17-10. But the fastfood kings would battle back in the second behind Achas and playmaker Ferdie Tobias to knot the count at 32-all at intermission.

MAFILWA players then spread the wealth in the third and that allowed them to take a 2-point advantage, 45-43, heading into the fourth and final quarter.

In the payoff period, Cavite’s Julian Ranas continued to carry the whole team on his shoulders and was pretty successful at it.

PIC appeared to have the game inside the bag leading 3 points with only a few precious second left on the clock.

But nothing’s over until it’s over and Team McDonald’s and Achas proved that once more Friday night.

Achas, who is one of eight players surnamed Achas in the team’s lineup, led MAFILWA with 17 points and took home EC Communications best player honors. Tobias added 13 points and 4 dole outs in the victory.

Ranas led all scorers with 30 points, while Tolentino struggled with 9 points for Cavite.

In the curtain raiser, three-time champ SIP-Verizon flexed its muscles and drubbed Bicol Sabungero, 115-68.

SIP limited Bicol to a measly 4 points in the opening 10 minutes and coasted the rest of the way for the win.

Last year’s Rookie of the Year James Villacrusis was all over the court in posting 26 points in 9 rebounds en route to winning the MVP of the game award. Rolando Vitug paced Bicol’s losing cause with 17 markers.

On Saturday, Cabalen-RP Construction and SMF-Seabridge matched SIP’s runaway victory with similar blowouts in their match-up opposite MDX Amateur Radio Club and MAFILWA.

In the first game, Cabalen showed no mercy in crushing MDX, 135-91, behind the 20 points of veteran Alex Ocampo.

Best player Ocampo led nine players, scoring at least 9 points for the Transamerica and EC Communications-sponsored team. Moreno Martin was the highpoint man for MDX with 14.

Sonny Lerio, meanwhile, put on a shooting clinic in the second game as he lead SMF to 108-57 clobbering of MAFILWA.

Lerio pumped in 25 of his 28 points in the first three quarters to spearhead SMF’s assault and won MVP honors for the game. The 20 markers of Joseph Achas led MAFILWA.

Friday
First Game

SIP 115 – Villacrusis 26, Flores 22, Mendoza 20, Alegre 20, Mendiola 18, Diaz 7.
Bicol 58 – Vitug 17, Tabamo 13, Ro. Aranda 9, Re. Aranda 7, Jugos 4, Calub 4, Miday 2, Capalad 2.
Scoring by quarters: 29-4, 60-23, 81-34, 115-68.
Referees: Noel Delos Santos and Jess Pacheco.

Second Game

MAFILWA 59 – J. Achas 17, Tobias 13, R. Achas 8, Salazar 7, Ma. Achas 6, Lizo 3, Corpuz 2, L. Achas 2. Mi. Achas 1.
Cavite 57 – Ranas 30, Tolentino 9, Apasan 5, Valdez 4, Catacutan 4, Hernandez 3, Pepito 2, Vea 1.
Scoring by quarters: 10-17, 32-32, 45-43, 59-57.
Referees: Jess Pabula and Jess Pacheco.

Saturday
First Game

Cabalen 135 – Ocampo 20, D. Barbo 17, Canlas 15, Delos Reyes 13, Mendoza 12, Alipio 9, Magcalas 9, Arnedo 8, Jo. Gatdula 7, Pantola 5, Salazar 5, Sinca 3, Pineda 2, G. Barbo 2.

MDX 91 – Martin 14, Malasarte 12, Galulu 11, Umali 8, Baetiong 6, Rebuyon 6, Surima 6, Vargas 6, Pambid 6, Sublemente 6, Diyco 4, Lansangan 3, Samson 2, Costales 1.

Scoring by quarters: 24-23, 60-46, 96-62, 135-91.

Referees: Noel Delos Santos and Jess Pacheco.

Second Game

SMF 108 – Lerio 28, Sison 10, L. Itaas 10, Banatasa 9, Elayda 9, Pardinan 8, Fernandez 8, J. Itaas 6, Cayetano 5, Delfin 3, Banares 2, Moises 2.

MAFILWA 57 – J. Achas 20, Tobias 16, Lizo 9, Ma. Achas 3, Salazar 3, Mi. Achas 2, R. Achas 2, Gutierrez 2.

Scoring by quarters: 26-19, 46-38, 68-54, 108-57.

Referees: Noel Delos Santos and Jess Pabula.