SIP, JCN close MDX weekend on top

Samahang Ilokano at Pangasinense again proved that it is the team to beat in the ongoing 2005 MDX Amateur Radio Club Inter-Color Basketball League, recording another win courtesy of solid pay down the stretch of their bout Sunday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

SIP received a strong opposing charge in Cavite-Country House, but played with poise in the dying minutes to close out win No. 3 with a 96-85 victory.

Cavite gave SIP a run for their money right from the start, with their balanced offensive attack keeping pace with their powerhouse opponent, however, SIP managed to grab a slim advantage going into the second period as cat-quick guard Jason Amado got off to a strong start and lifted his team to an 18-17 lead with nine points.

Cavite retuned the favor in the next quarter, scoring a point more than SIP to level the bout at 39-39 at halftime. Bernard Montano was impressive in leading Cavite’s charge, knocking down a triple, two field goals, and three free throws for 10 points while the team’s defense limited SIP to just four scorers.

Veteran Rick Alegre then took command for SIP and busted up eight points at the start of the third stanza, to help his team recover and regain advantage. Leo Factor followed up his eight-point second quarter effort by adding another seven points in the third and Amado worked for six markers to stave off a 10-point effort from Cavite’s Wilfredo Dayrit. SIP was clinging to a 64-59 lead heading into the final quarter.

Cavite did all it could in trying to overcome their deficit in the final minutes of the bout, but the day did not belong to them as Amado went off for another seven markers and fellow guard Elmer Esdrelon added six points to spearhead a 32-26 run to clinch the win.

Amado finished with a game-high 22 points while Factor and Alegre pumped in 18 points and eight rebounds apiece. Alegre also dished for six assists.

Dayrit and William Opone led Cavite with 18 points apiece while Montano and Vercel De Dios supported with 15 and 11 points in a losign cause.

Earlier, JCN had its way agaisnt Subway-Coca Cola and had six players finish with double-digit scoring en route to a 124-106 victory.

JCN broke the game wide open with their hot guns to start the opening period, outscoring their opponents 34-11, and followed up with another huge run n the second quarter that ended with the team well ahead, 71-43.

The rout was on and by the time the final buzzer sounded, the JCN players were enjoying an 18-point victory margin.

Kevin Cequena and Ed Palma led JCN with 19 and 17 points, while John Artates and Badong Camacho finished with 13 points apiece. Guard Andres Estolas and Rowell Aranda also punched in 12 and 10 points.

Edwin Soriano was the highlight for Subway, leading all scorers with 36 points, while Bong Sese and Mike Achas supported with 16 points apiece. Gil Gapor and Jun Tabora also chipped in 15 points apiece.

First Game

JCN 124—Cequena 19, Palma 17, Artates 13, Camacho 13, Estolas 12, Aranda 10, Villarin 8, Capalad 8, Abuy 8, Surima 8, Canlas 4, Barrios 2, Usi 2.

Subway 106—Soriano 36, Achas 16, Sese 16, Gapor 15, Tabora 15, Salvani 2.

Scoring by quarters: 34-11, 71-43, 92-72, 124-106.

Referees: Gilbert Espinosa, Dado Vistal, and Arnold Mesa

Second Game

SIP 96—Amado 22, Alegre 18, Factor 18, Esdrelon 9, Tamondong 4, Mendiola 4, Cabrera 3, Villacrusis 2.

Cavite 85—Opone 18, Dayrit 18, Montano 15, De Dios 11, Aldan 9, Peredo 5, Rebuyon 4, Hernandez 2, Domingo 1, Tolentino 1, Mendoza 1.

Scoring by quarters: 18-17, 39-39, 64-59, 96-85.

Referees: Jess Pacheco, Noel Delos Santos, and Manny Sitchon.