Jollibee makes comeback against El Segundo

Jollibee came from behind to beat a luckless El Segundo team 59-48 in the 2004 Inter-Restaurant Basketball League yesterday morning at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The fastfood kings got a lift early in the game from little-used guard Bryan Lontoc, who gave Jollibee a 4-0 lead on two layups.

It was 12-4 at one point in favor of Jollibee before El Segundo started to take the fight into the shaded lane were the taller and heftier Pacific Gardenia cagers had the clear advantage.

Inside forays by Ariel Drilon and John Jugos further stoked the El Segundo rally and the score after the first 10 minutes of play was just 15-12 still for Jollibee.

Both teams battled back and forth in the second quarter with Jollibee sending their reserves against El Segundo’s tall frontline.

The result was a disaster for Jollibee as their second stringers were beaten black and blue in the period, which ended on a 25-all stalemate after Drilon made one of two free throws.

Drilon took the gift shots in lieu of team leading scorer Ariel Abadilla, who was fouled and injured on a rebound play in the half’s last possession.

El Segundo curiously made a run at Jollibee at the beginning of the second half with Abadilla on the bench nursing a slight ankle sprain.

Abadilla would return at the six-minute mark of the third and immediately made an impact, leading El Segundo to a 10-point lead, 40-30.

Jollibee, however, closed the gap to five points as Edwil Reyes and Chris Reolope combined for a 5-0 run to close the quarter.

El Segundo was still in full control of the contest in the payoff period until Jugos picked up his fifth and final foul.

With their primary ballhandler hitting the pine with still plenty to go in the game, El Segundo fell into a maze of errors that the fastfood kings were more than willing to capitalize.

Reyes would eventually knot the score at 42-all and Omar Ajoste and Chito Santos pushed the lead some more.

Although a couple of desperation triples by Ramsa Tenepere did hit the mark, it was still not enough for El Segundo to stem the avalanche of points as Jollibee won the game running away.

Reyes led the fastfood kings with 17 points on top of 6 rebounds and 3 steals. No other player from Jollibee finished in double figures.

Injury in all, Abadilla still paced El Segundo with 11 points and 9 caroms. Jugos chipped in 10 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists, and 4 steals before fouling out.

The win raised the fastfood kings’ record to 3-1, while the loss was El Segundo’s fourth setback in as many games.

In the 3-point shootout held at halftime, Jugos defeated Jollibee’s Ding Manlapaz, 1-0.

The IRBL resumes play today with the exciting game between powerhouse teams Capricciosa and Country House beginning at 11pm.

The Friday match then features Capricciosa against Keeraku also at 11pm. All game of the IRBL will now be played at the Ada Gym.

Jollibee 59 – Reyes 17, Santos 8, Lontoc 6, Isip 6, Ajoste 4, Dela Masa 4, Reolope 4, Manlapaz 2, Dulog 2, Luna 2.

El Segundo 48 – Abadilla 11, Jugos 10, Drilon 9, Tenepere 8, Mendiola 4, Patricio 4, De Vera 2.

Scoring by quarters: 15-12, 25-25, 35-40, 59-48.

Referees: Arnold Mesa and Jojo Molar.