Ulloa’s, Wildcats escape upset axe

Ulloa’s and the San Antonio Wildcats put up just enough numbers at the end of their BANMI 25-and-under Basketball League bouts Monday night to post nail-biting victories at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

In the opener, Ulloa’s watched their 18-point halftime advantage evaporate into thin air before closing on a high note with a 96-92 win over the determined Ghasias 7-Kings.

Ulloa’s had their way in the first half, dominating the opening quarter for a 25-16 lead. Both teams matched their opening performance in the second period, resulting in Ulloa’s holding a 50-32 cushion at the break.

The tables quickly turned as league-leading scorer Fred Pelisamen entered the contest and took charge, igniting a 30-19 comeback run with nine points that cut the deficit to just seven points, 62-69, with one period left.

With Pelisamen continuing his onslaught at the offensive end, the 7-Kings managed to pull to within five points on several occasions. Their hopes, however, began to fade as John Sablan fueled Ulloa’s stand, scoring 12 straight Ulloa’s points on four triples to keep his team ahead.

Pelisamen continued to work hard to put his team within striking distance, only to end up on the losing side when time expired.

Sablan led Ulloa’s with 27 points, including seven bombs from long range, while Tyrone Palacios and Jake Maratita added 20 and 12 points. Dave Palacios and Dominic Sampson also chipped in 10 points apiece.

Pelisamen led all scorers with 31 points—all coming in the second half and 22 in the final quarter—while Ben Pelisamen and B.J. Kaipat contributed 22 and 17 points. Jacob Pelisamen also added 13 points.

In the second game, the San Antonio Wildcats turned back a tough Tanapag Warriors team with a fourth-quarter rally for a down-the-wire 85-84 win.

The Warriors were first to grab the upper hand, going up 22-16 courtesy of a combined 14-point effort by Jeremiah Deleon Guerrero and Ziddy Johannes, but former IVYBL standout Preston Basa spearheaded his squad in the second quarter, swooshing seven points for a 44-42 lead at the break.

The Warriors, however, weren’t going away and Deleon Guerrero and hardworking forward Mike Reyes combined to highlight a furious charge that ended with Tanapag turning their slim deficit into a five-point lead, 65-60, after three quarters of play.

With their backs against the wall, the Wildcats fought back, leaning on the play of forward Henry Sablan, who powered his way in the paint for 13 fourth-quarter points while also drawing countless fouls from the opposition.

Sablan and company outscored their opponents, 25-19, in the last 10 minutes to leave with the win.

Sablan finished with 24 points to lead San Antonio while J.R. Ngeskebei and Basa added 18 and 11, respectively.

Deleon Guerrero and Reyes led the Warriors with 28 and 13 points, while Ralph Magofna and Johannes chipped in 11 and 10 points.

First Game

Ulloa’s 96—Joh. Sablan 27, T. Palacios 20, Maratita 12, D. Palacios 10, Sampson 10, Ja. Sablan 7, G. Palacios 6, R. Palacios 4.

7-Kings 92—F. Pelisamen 31, B. Pelisamen 22, B. Kaipat 17, J. Pelisamen 13, J. Kaipat 7, Rabauliman 2.

Scoring by quarters: 25-16, 50-32, 69-62, 96-92.

Referees: Ricky Itaas and Ray Lizama.

Second Game

Wildcats 85—Sablan 24, Ngeskebei 18, Basa 11, Kapileo 10, Lizama 6, Yu 4, Kaipat 4, Blas 2, Taitano 2, Anthony 1.

Warriors 84—Deleon Guerrero 28, Reyes 13, Magofna 11, Johannes 10, San Nicolas 6, Kani6, Suel 4, Marquez 4, Seidler 2.

Scoring by quarters: 16-22, 44-42, 60-65, 85-84.

Referees: Noel Delos Santos and Mike White.