Savemore lays Team Underground to rest, 89-83

Savemore laid Team Underground’s semifinals hopes to rest after they beat them, 89-83, in the Destroyers Basketball Club Invitational Basketball League 2024 at the Gillette Multi-Purpose Gymnasium last Sunday.

Savemore actually had a very comfortable and sizable lead in the first half as they quickly got down to action. Fast-moving Alex Lauron and sharp shooter Daryll Foronda dominated the court and used their height to their advantage.

Lauron’s coast-to-coast forays paid off as he left Team Underground’s defense in his dust, while Foronda controlled the play under the basket and at the 3-point line. All the while, Team Underground’s seemingly one-man army of Matt Duenas tried to dig out of the double-digit deficit they were in at less than 10 minutes into the game.

By 11:11 in the first half, Savemore had a commanding 30-16 lead, as Lauron already scored the majority of his points—16—by this time. Foronda provided 7, with a surge of more points later to come in the last half.

However, Team Underground regrouped and in the second half, closed the huge gap that Savemore once had. Duenas was assisted by Jobert Meriales and Keyshene Marasigan as they hacked away at Savemore’s shrinking double-digit lead.

Foronda then upped the ante and went on a tear in the second half as Lauron took a step back and Getsen Jandoc stepped up. In the end, Savemore managed to put a stop to the rallying clutches of Team Underground as Foronda scored 27, Lauron contributed 20, and Jandoc shared 13 markers.

Duenas had a game-high 30 points, while Meriales was the only other Team Underground player in double digits at 22.

In other results, Jacob’s Bakeshop shot down Saipan Tigers, 78-75, to clinch a semis spot, while GMP x Yuman doused Star Water, 93-82, also for a semis spot. Then, Islander Rent A Car sped past Triskelion, 80-66, for the last semis spot.

The semis are set for this Friday, Aug. 23. The first is game at 6pm is between Savemore and GMP x Yuman, and Game 2 at 7:30pm is Islander Rent A Car vs. Jacob’s Bakeshop.

The finals are set for Sunday, Aug. 25.

Savemore 89 – Foronda 27, Lauron 20, Jandoc 13, Malinay 9, Macaraig 6, Natividad 6, Binuya 4, Lucero 4.

Team Underground 83 – Duenas 30, Meriales 22, Marasigan 8, Lumen 7, Lascuna 5, Lontoc 3, Gabriel 2, Taraya 2, Pablito 2, Nicodemus 2.

Scoring by halves: 49-39, 89-83.