FASA keeps UFO title hopes alive

The stage is set for the 2004 UFO-San Miguel Cup semifinals after FASA-CNC Inc. kept its title hopes alive behind a lopsided 117-85 blow out victory over SMF-Seabridge Friday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Like in previous games, offensive standout Andres “Jhun” Estolas took charge for FASA, leading the team with a game-high 26 points, and with season on the line, Estolas picked it up a notch and also grabbed 8 rebounds, dished four assists, and had two steals.

After a balanced attack spearheaded FASA to a 23-16 lead at the end of the first quarter, Estolas went berserk and tormented the SMF defenders with 12 points, propelling FASA to distance themselves from their opponents. They held a comfortable 22-point breathing room at the half, 52-30.

Estolas would go off for another 8 points at the start of the second half while forward Errol Peredo got into the mix and sizzled for 9 points to keep FASA in their comfort zone.

The SMF cagers managed to erase 1 point from their deficit, outscoring FASA 27-26 behind Sonny Lerio’s 11 points, but their push was overshadowed by the hole they were in. SMF trailed 57-78 with just one period remaining.

Just 10 minutes away from earning a ticket to the Final Four, FASA showed no mercy, kicked it into turbo mode, and ran on all cylinders to close out their impressive performance with a 39-point charge.

Despite FASA’s lead pretty much out of their reach, SMF’s Jimmy Sison made good in his final minutes for the season and torched the net for 12 points in the fourth.

Peredo and Bernard Montano finished with 21 and 16 points while Kevin Cequena and hard working forward Junar Guiab punched in 15 and 13 points for FASA. Guiab added another double-double to his name as he also dominated the boards, grabbing 12 rebounds. Melvin Villarin also had a solid outing, contributing with 8 rebounds, 8 assists, 4 steals, and a block.

Lerio paced SMF with 20 points while Sison and Dennis Apelo added 14 points apiece. Sison also hauled 10 rebounds, had 4 assists, and four steals. Giovanni Pardinan also chipped in with 12 points.

FASA-CNC Inc. 117—Estolas 26, Peredo 21, Montano 16, Cequena 15, Guiab 13, Villarin 8, De Guzman 4, Peleno 4, Dela Torre 3, Deocares 4.

SMF-Seabridge 85—Lerio 20, Apelo 14, Sison 14, Pardinan 12, Moises 9, Cayetano 8, Demegillo 4, J. Itaas 2.

Scoring by quarters: 23-16, 52-30, 78-57, 117-85.