Babauta shows shooting touch as Poohdeni routs Country House

Lester Babauta was in a hot zone of his own Sunday evening as he gave all in attendance shooting lessons while leading Poohdeni to a 129-94 victory over Cavite Country House in the ongoing 2005 MDX Amateur Radio Club Inter-Color Basketball League at the Gilbert C Ada Gymnasium.

Poohdeni was in control of the match from the get go courtesy of their big men as veteran Ed Cosino turned back time and tormented Cavite Country House for eight points while Jawn Joyner nailed a bucket and four free throws to spearhead a 26-17 run in the opening period.

After a quiet four-point performance in the first quarter, Babauta found his touch, caught fire, and exploded for 16 points including hitting four shots from downtown.

With Babauta firing at will and the rest of the Poohdeni cagers playing well in support, the team managed to pad their lead and headed into the break up by a commanding 26-point cushion, 61-35.

Babauta was far from being done as he drilled another two triples in the third period, which featured Poohdeni holding a firm grip on their lead.

Poohdeni entered the payoff period still up by a comfortable margin, 85-58, but that didn’t stop Babauta from going all out. The teenager swooshed another four shots from beyond the three-point arc, finishing with 10 triples to lead Poohdeni to victory.

Babauta was the game’s topscorer with 45 points while Joyner and veteran Pando Muleta each supported with 18 points. Cosino and Ron Gamboa also contributed 15 and 11 points.

Wilfredo Dayrit and William Opone led Cavite Country House with 11 points apiece while Errol Peredo, Chris Domingo, Bernard Montano, and Kevin Aldan pumped in 10 points apiece.

Earlier, 287 Club Verizon turned a tightly fought ball game into a rout, recovering from a slow start to beat Subway Coca Cola, 103-80.

The two teams were pretty much even in the early goings, matching each for most parts of the first period. Subway, however, managed to squeeze up a slim lead and as up 21-20 heading into the second quarter.

That’s when things took a big turn as 287 Club kicked into higher gear, swung things to their favor, and outscored their opponents 33-18. Darwin Barbo was key in the 287 Club run, dropping in five field goals and a free throw for 11 points.

Boboy Sampang picked up where Barbo left off and kept 287 in front, punching in eight points in the third stanza. The 287 Club cagers were playing well again on defense, limiting Subway to 16 points while putting up another 22 in their corner for a 20-point 75-55 advantage.

Barbo came back to life in the final quarter and along with big man Ronald Delos Reyes worked up eight points in the last 10 minutes.

Barbo finished with a game-high 23 points to lead 287 Club while Sampang and Delos Reyes added 16 and 12 points.

Gil Gapor and Bong Sese paced Subway with 18 points apiece while Edwin Soriano supported with 16 points in a losing cause.

FIRST GAME

287 Club 103—D. Barbo 23, Bernado 19, Sampang 16, Delos Reyes 12, Pineda 10, Aguilar 8, Pambid 8, Mungcal 6, G. Barbo 1.

Subway 80—Gapor 18, Sese 18, Soriano 16, Guinto 9, Mallari 6, Salvani 6, Achas 3, Loyola 2, Felix 2.

Scoring by quarters: 20-21, 53-39, 75-55, 103-80.

Referees: Dado Vistal, Abner Venus, and Manny Sitchon.

SECOND GAME

Poohdeni 129—Babauta 45, Joyner 18, Muleta 18, Cosino 15, Gamboa 11, Bicera 9, Umali 4, De Guzman 4, Macaspac 3, De Belen 2.

Cavite 94—W. Dayrit 11, Opone 11, Aldan 10, Montano 10, Domingo 10, Peredo 10, Mendoza 6, Hernandez 6, Rebuyon 5, Villaluz 5, De Dios 4, B. Dayrit 3.

Scoring by quarters: 26-17, 61-35, 85-58, 129-94.

Referees: Noel Delos Santos, Jess Pacheco, and Gary Esconde.