Two teams still perfect in UFO

Last year’s finalists Visminda-Country House and Cabalen-RP Construction remained unbeaten Saturday in the 2004 UFO-San Miguel Cup.

Visminda drew lightweight MAFILWA-McDonald’s in the first game and literally had a walk in the park in scoring a 125-67 win.

Power forward Emil De Belen had career game and won MVP honors scoring 23 points and hauling down 9 rebounds. De Belen was one of six Visminda players in double figures.

Wily point guard Ferdie Tobias played the Lone Ranger role for the fastfood kings firing 23 points. Center Larry Lizo also grabbed 12 boards in the loss.

It was the fifth win in as many games for Visminda, while MAFILWA dropped to 1-2 in Group B standings.

While Visminda strolled to victory, Cabalen went through the proverbial eye of the needle in dealing Bartenders-Aliviera Sports Bar a 108-100 overtime loss in the evening’s second game.

Bartenders jumped the gun on Cabalen in the first quarter but the Transamerica and EC Communications-backed squad would regain its bearings in the second.

Best player of the game Randy Arnedo then helped Cabalen take the driver’s seat going into the fourth quarter.

In the payoff period, Bartenders forced overtime when swingman Marco Garcia hit a buzzer beater. But Cabalen eventually notched the win by outscoring Bartenders 17-9 in the extra period.

Arnedo came away with 28 points to lead Cabalen. Garcia had a banner game despite the loss finishing with 33 points on top of 7 rebounds and 2 steals.

The win allowed Cabalen to maintain its lead in Group A with a 4-0 record, while the setback was the second in three outings for Bartenders.

The UFO’s Sunday schedule then saw SMF-Seabridge (4-1), SIP-Verizon (4-1), and Bayani (2-2) keep abreast with the leaders.

Gary Cayetano scattered 12 of his 21 points in the fourth quarter as SMF wiggled out of a tight game 87-72 against LIPS-Jam Construction in the curtain raiser.

Both teams were pretty even after the first three quarters with SMF taking a 1-point lead into the payoff period.

But Cayetano became unconscious from 3-point country in the last 10 minutes, stringing up four triple bombs as SMF routed LIPS.

Sonny Lerio top-scored with 24 points for the victors, while best player of the game Cayetano added 3 rebounds and a couple of steals. Manny Guimalan paced LIPS with 16 markers and 11 caroms.

In the middle game, Micronesian Basketball Tournament veteran Jester Garcia led SIP to an 86-74 triumph against FASA-PABA-CNC Inc.

Garcia pumped in 10 points in the pivotal third quarter and then added 5 more in the final minutes to stem a late FASA comeback.

Garcia wound up with 21 points and got the nod for MVP. Rookie sensation Jason Amado also notched 15 points in the win. Jhun Estolas led FASA’s losing cause with 22 markers.

In the nightcap, best player Tim Paez had another double-double performance with 17 points and 15 rebounds to lead Bayani to a 93-81 victory over winless Cavite-Pacific Islands Club. League leading scorer Julian Ranas lit up the scoreboard with 47 points to pace Cavite.

SATURDAY

FIRST GAME

Visminda 125 – De Belen 23, Vistal 21, Cosino 18, Bicera 13, Muleta 10, Joyner 10, Marasigan 8, Guinto 7, Domingo 6, Uy 5, Artates 4, Anasan 2.

MAFILWA 67 – Tobias 23, J. Achas 17, Gutierrez 7, M. Achas 7, Balbuena 4, R. Achas 4, S. Achas 2, Lizo 2, L. Achas 2, Salazar 1.

Scoring by quarters: 29-15, 49-28, 79-46, 125-67.

Referees: Jess Pacheco and Noel Delos Santos.

SECOND GAME

Cabalen 108 – Arnedo 28, Delos Reyes 21, D. Barbo 15 Mendoza 14, Magcalas 8, Ocampo 8, Canlas 6, Alipio 6, Jo. Gatdula 2.

Bartenders 100 – Garcia 33, Cortez 19, J. Dayrit 13, Esdirelon 12, B. Dayrit 10, Macoto 7, Alcantara 4, Sitchon 2.

Scoring by quarters: 13-22, 39-41, 65-64, 91-91, 108-100, OT.

Referees: Ricky Itaas and Gabriel White.

SUNDAY

FIRST GAME

SMF-Seabridge 87 – Lerio 24, Cayetano 21, L. Itaas 17, Sison 5, Pardinan 4, Fernandez 4, Banatasa 4, Delfin 4, Elayda 2, Bartosis 2.

LIPS 72 – Guimalan 16, Pe 15, Guinto 15, Catilo 10, Yalung 9, Cantos 6.

Scoring by quarters: 16-12, 29-32, 50-49, 87-72.

Referees: Ricky Itaas and Jess Fabula.

SECOND GAME

SIP 86 – J. Garcia 21, Amado 15, Villacrusis 12, R. Alegre 10, Mendiola 10, Espinosa 7, Factor 6, Flores 3, Tamondong 2.

FASA-PABA 74 – Estolas 22, Guiab 20, Cequena 9, Villarin 9, De Guzman 7, Peredo 5, Montano 2.

Scoring by quarters: 19-14, 43-29, 65-55, 86-74.

Referees: Ricky Itaas and Gabriel White.

THIRD GAME

Bayani 93 – Navalta 19, Paez 17, Tan 14, Villegas 14, Rabasto 12, Parayno 7, Laitan 6, Pineda 3, Agbanlog 2.

Cavite 81 – Ranas 47, Tolentino 18, Pepito 6, J. Valdez 4, O. Valdez 2, Catacutan 2, Zapata 2, Hernandez 2.

Scoring by quarters: 23-17, 47-40, 71-64, 93-81.

Referees: Jess Fabula and Noel Delos Santos.