Undefeated Easy Riders, Checkpoint advance to semis

Undefeated Easy Riders and Checkpoint advanced to the semis of the open division in the Inaugural SMEC-SMLEG Invitational Basketball Tournament 2023 after nail-biting games Tuesday night at the Gualo Rai Basketball Court.

Easy Riders held on to win in a low scoring 56-49 game against Vik Team in the first elimination game of the night.

Man-to-man defensive pressure led to inaccurate shots that resulted in many shoots and misses from both sides. Vik Team tried to topple Easy Riders from their unblemished pedestal and came close with five minutes left in the game, 49-41.

Interceptions were made left and right by speedy Ren Ren Gaviola of the Easy Riders and quickly dashed the hopes of a late-game comeback by Vik Team. Easy Riders made more accurate shots at the basket, while consecutive missed jump shots by Vik Team’s Web Gontar and Ivan De Vero may have caused them the game.

If they had made those shots, the game would have been tied as Easy Riders went for about a couple minutes of a scoreless spell.

It was a little too late for Vik Team to close the widening gap with just about a minute left in the game, however, as Easy Riders’ Frank Ferrer added a wide-open layup, followed by Andrew Ashburn’s 3-pointer and layup.

Ashburn put up 14 points, while Craig Padayao scored 11. Vik Team’s Ivan De Vero made 10 points, while Reymark Castro contributed 8.

In the last game of the night, Checkpoint had to fight tooth and nail against Winners Group, 71-58, as until the third quarter, Winners Group led.

At the end of the first quarter, Winners Group led, 27-24, then by just 2 points at the end of the second, 50-48. It was still anybody’s game as Winners Groups’ duo of John Mejarito and Jeter Medina lit up the scoreboard with their back-to-back baskets.

Checkpoint bounced back in the end with fast-break plays and a better strategy than earlier in the game. They gave the ball to Choini Dela Cruz, Jeff Castro, Tony Kim, and Juan Camacho, who scored the crucial points needed to escape the almost aptly named Winners Group.

Dela Cruz led Checkpoint with 18 markers, while Castro put up 12, and Kim had 11. Mejarito and Medina mirrored each other with 16 points, while Ryan Llave scored 14.

First Game

Easy Riders 56 – Ashburn 14, Padayao 11, Velasco 8, Diwa 6, Reign 5, Ferrer 3, Camacho 3, Directo 3, Gaviola 3.

Vik Team 49 – I. De Vero 10, Castro 8, Gontar 7, De Dios 6, Apasan 5, Nicodamus 4, S. De Vera 4, Ibe 2, Cruz 2, Reyes 1.

Scoring by periods: 18-14, 30-23, 47-39, 56-49.

Second Game

Checkpoint 71 – Dela Cruz 18, Castro 12, Kim 11, Camacho 8, Castillo 4, Flores 2, Yanto 2.

Winners Group 58 – Mejarito 16, Medina 16, Llave 14, Danipog 10, Flores 2.

Scoring by quarters: 24-27, 50-48, 61-69, 71-58.