Visminda bottles up FASA, Estolas

Visminda-Country House bucked the absence of last year’s regular season MVP and the ouster of the finals best player to beat FASA-PABA-CNC Inc., 97-87, in the continuation of the 2004 UFO-San Miguel Cup playoffs Sunday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

After falling short on a Lazarus-like comeback from 32 points down in their last encounter, FASA this time made sure to stick to the defending champions.

In fact, the boys of coach Marvin Deocares managed to lead a slow-starting Visminda five in the first period, when they took a modest 21-18 advantage.

But Visminda, under the baton of coach Boy Garcia, rebounded mightily in the second quarter. Bing Marasigan stepped into Pando Muleta’s sneakers and immediately produced against his former team.

The ex-Hyatt hitman banged in 9 points, not to mention fed 6’3” Ed Cosino down low, as Visminda took over the lead and entered lemontime with a 50-45 advantage.

It was back to drawing board for FASA-PABA at the start of the third. Luckily for them, offense doesn’t come in short supply for the team, as ace Jun Estolas and youngster Kevin Cequena quickly lit up their opposing defenders.

With the dynamic duo firing from all angles, FASA-PABA took back the driver’s seat and even managed to lead by 5.

Banjo Basila, however, had other plans on his day-off from his chores at Country House.

The sleek swingman strung together back-to-back-to-back baskets in the closing minutes of the quarter that allowed Visminda to breath a little easier, on top 77-70 after three periods of play.

Unfortunately for Basila he wasn’t on the court to celebrate the fruits of his labor, as he was exiled to the bench with plenty to go in the fourth on account of five personal fouls.

But the loss of the 2003 Finals MVP hardly had an effect on Visminda, as the likes of Cosino, veteran gunner Dado Vistal and the defensive presence of shotblocker extraordinaire Jawn Joyner proved enough to hold off FASA-PABA.

Another thing working for Garcia was the leechlike defense the tandem of Chris Domingo and his own nephew John Artates threw on Estolas in the payoff period.

After going off for 15 points in the first three quarters, the lightning-quick guard bled for just 3 points the rest of the way.

Cosino led Visminda with 21 points, while Joyner captured best player of the game honors after chipping in 14.

Cequena finished with 25 points to pace FASA. Peredo and Estolas wound up with 18 points apiece in the loss.

Visminda 97 – Cosino 21, Basila 18, Joyner 14, Vistal 13, Marasigan 11, Domingo 10, Bicera 5, Artates 4, De Belen 1.

FASA-PABA 87 – Cequena 25, Peredo 18, Estolas 18, De Guzman 7, Montano 4, Peleno 2, Velasco 2.

Scoring by quarters: 18-21, 50-45, 77-70, 97-87.

Referees: Ricky Itaas and Jess Fabula.