Prius, Wildcats dust off rivals

Toyota Prius rolled to its eighth win in nine games, while the San Antonio Wildcats leveled its win-loss record in the continuation of BANMI 25-and-under Basketball League Wednesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

In the first game, Wildcats squandered an imposing first-half lead before repulsing cross-village rivals Ulloa 92-84.

With guard Julian Ranas and power forward Henry Sablan forming a potent Mutt-and-Jeff combination in the opening 20 minutes, the Wildcats outplayed Ulloa and took a commanding 51-32 advantage at the break.

But Ulloa turned the tables in the third quarter. With cousins Dave, Tyrone, and Gus Palacios hitting from all corners, Team Palacios went on an unbelievable roll and slashed their deficit to a point, 64-65, heading into the fourth and final quarter.

Fortunately for Wildcats, they were able to arrest the slide in the fourth quarter with better defense and some timely hits from bulls-strong Allison Kaipat and athletic swingman Peter Lizama.

The duo combined for 18 fourth-quarter points to help the Wildcats wrap up the eight-point win.

Ranas and Lizama punched in 22 and 21 points to pace the Wildcats, while Dave and Tyrone Palacios scored the same totals to lead Ulloa.

In the second game, role players Mel Tagabuel and Dexter Dillay combined for 40 points as Prius gave 7 Kings the royal beat down 122-100.

It was a pretty even contest in the first three quarters, with the Microl-backed squad leading modestly. But Prius stepped on the gas pedal in the payoff period and left the Freddie Pelisamen-powered team eating their dust.

Jeremy Winkfield and Ambrose Ogumoro added 19 and 17 points for Prius, while Freddie Pelisamen and older brother Ben filled up the scorebook with 36 and 31 points, respectively.

First Game

Wildcats 92 – Ranas 22, Lizama 21, Kapileo 19, Kaipat 10, H. Sablan 6, Yu 4, Basa 3, Echon 2, B. Sablan 2.

Ulloa 84 – D. Palacios 22, T. Palacios 21, R. Palacios 18, G. Palacios 16, Sampson 5.

Scoring by quarters: 24-17, 51-32, 65-64, 92-84.

Referees: Ricky Itaas and Noel Delos Santos.

Second Game

Prius 122 – Tagabuel 20, Dillay 20, Winkfield 19, A. Ogumoro 17, Seman 10, Lebuw 10, Magcalas 8, Lizama 6, K. Ogumoro 6, Iguel 4, D. Barcinas 2.

7 Kings 100 – F. Pelisamen 36, B. Pelisamen 31, B. Kaipat 24, J. Pelisamen 3, J. Kaipat 3.

Scoring by quarters: 23-21, 41-36, 64-57, 122-100.

Referees: Mike White and Ray Lizama.