Drubbings galore in UFO

Fans were treated to a yawner Sunday in the 2004 UFO-San Miguel Cup as all three games that were played at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium ended in routs.

In the first game, Laguna-GEC Construction dominated all four quarters to score a 112-74 victory against a listless Bayani team.

Laguna played a bit tight in the opening 10 minutes but still led 21-15 going into the second quarter. Veteran gunner Ed Palma then waxed hot for Laguna in the second, hitting shots from everywhere to help Laguna open up a 54-39 advantage at the half.

The 10-minute intermission did little to help stop the bleeding for Bayani, as the team’s defensive woes continued in the third, allowing Laguna to score 27 points in the period.

The score going into the payoff period was 81-59 still in favor of the VM Sablan & Associates-backed team.

The fourth and final quarter was a laugher as Laguna got off for 31 more points, while limiting Bayani to just 15 points.

Palma topscored for Laguna with 30 points and got the nod for EC Communications best player of the game. Forward Randy Arconado added 16 markers for Laguna.

Rommel Navalta was the highpoint man for Bayani with 21. Former Mapua dribbler Tim Paez chipped in 15 points and 8 rebounds in a losing cause.

FASA-PABA-CNC Inc., meanwhile, got an all-around effort from swingman Junar Guiab to beat Bicol-Sabungero running away 100-85.

FASA threatened to blowout Bicol the entire game but cannot seem to break away completely until the fourth quarter when deadeyes Jhun Estolas and Errol Peredo combined for 18 of the team’s final 23 points.

Guiab was named MVP of the game after filling the stat sheet with 14 points, 11 boards, 3 assists, and a shot block. Estolas, Peredo, and Melvin Villarin also finished in double figures for FASA, with Estolas dishing out a game-high 11 assists.

Rolando Vitug and Rowell Aranda paced Bicol with 23 and 22 points, respectively. Vitug also hauled down 9 rebounds.

In the third game, defending champion Visminda-Country House hardly broke into a sweat in thrashing Cavite-Pacific Islands Club 114-81.

Philippine Amateur Basketball League veterans Ed Cosino and Dado Vistal led the charge for Visminda.

Cosino scored 9 of his 12 points in the first half, which Visminda took 59-40. Vistal, for his part, shot the lights out by pouring in 11 of his 15 total points after intermission.

The 6’3” Cosino was adjudged best player of the game after grabbing 10 rebounds and issuing 3 assists. Power forward Danny Bicera and last year’s MVP Pando Muleta led Visminda with 18 and 17 points.

For the second straight game, Julian Ranas was Cavite’s lone supplier of offense, shooting a day-high 44 points in the loss. Playmaker Raymond Tolentino also was good for 14 points.

FIRST GAME

Laguna 112 – Palma 30, Arconado 16, Sumaoang 12, Guiang 12, Barrios 8, Badilles 8, Ochona 6, Aldan 5, Tiples 4, Galvez 3, Illahi 2, Sabino 2, Viola 2.

Bayani 74 – Navalta 18, Paez 15, Villegas 12, Camacho 11, Laitan 6, Rabasto 4, Aglubat 2, Hilario 2, Banal 2, Guzman 1.

Scoring by quarters: 21-15, 54-39, 81-59, 112-74.

Referees: Noel Delos Santos and Jess Pacheco.

SECOND GAME

FASA-PABA 100 – Estolas 22, Villarin 18, Peredo 17, Guiab 14, Montano 9, Cequena 7, Peleno 6, De Guzman 4, Abuy 4, Velasco 1.

Bicol 85 – Vitug 23, Ro. Aranda 22, Capalad 12, Tabamo 11, Jugos 7, Reyes 6, Re. Aranda 2, Miday 2.

Scoring by quarters: 20-18, 45-34, 67-57, 100-85.

Referees: Jess Pabula and Jess Pacheco.

THIRD GAME

Visminda 114 – Bicera 18, Muleta 17, Vistal 15, De Belen 13, Joyner 13, Cosino 12, Uy 9, Domingo 6, Marasigan 5, Artates 4, Cachero 2.

Cavite 81 – Ranas 44, Tolentino 14, Baterina 8, Zapata 5, Catacutan 4, Hernandes 4, Pepito 4.

Scoring by quarters: 20-17, 59-40, 80-58, 114-81.

Referees: Noel Delos Santos and Jess Pabula.