Visminda remains unbeaten, NAMFREL wins

Defending champion Visminda-Tambayan/Nel Atalig extended its win streak and remained unbeaten, while NAMFREL-Sabungero/Region V notched its first win in Saturday’s Budweiser-Coca Cola 6th UFO Inter-Organizational Basketball League at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Visminda proved to be too strong for Bibak-Island Card in the opener and easily posted their fourth win in as many games with a 104-85 victory.

The team first showcased its defense early and often as it limited Bibak to nine points in the opening period while punching in a well-balanced attack to put up 24 points on the board.

The dominance continued as their lead stretched to 25 points by halftime. Lester Babauta had two triples while Pando Muleta and Bing Marasigan added one bomb apiece as Visminda outscored their opponents, 30-20, for a 54-29 lead.

Bibak picked it up in the third period and put up a strong push, with Dennis Pacheco and Jester Batonn combining for 12 points. Bibak went on to add 28 points to their corner, however, they were only able to erase a point from their deficit as Visminda continued to put up strong numbers.

Heading in the final period, the defending champions were up by 24 points, 81-57.

Bibak got closer in the last 10 minutes, but their charge was too late as Visminda closed with the 19-point win.

Danny Bicera led seven Visminda cagers in double figures with 28 points, while Ronnel Gamboa and Errol Peredo added 14 and 13 points. Rey Uy and Emil De Belen had 12 points apiece, while Babauta and Marasigan each had 11 points.

Batonn led Bibak with 18 points while Pacheco and Robert Sanciangco had 12 points apiece. Amorsolo Casabuena chipped in 11 points.

In the second game, NAMFREL broke into the win column with an 88-68 victory over SMF-Shell.

This after trailing by nine points, 17-26, at the end of the first quarter.

The deficit was quickly erased as the team pulled even before halftime, 42-42, and went on turbo mode to break away from their opponents for a 65-53 lead after three quarters.

NAMFREL then made good on nine of 13 charity shots and limited SMF to 15 points in the last 10 minutes to earn their first win.

Noel Sabordo and Renato Pe led NAMFREL with 22 and 19 points while Gabby Gagate and Larry Palero contributed 14 and 12 points.

Leo Itaas and Giovanni Pardinan paced SMF with 17 and 10 points.

First Game

Visminda 104 – Bicera 28, Gamboa 14, Uy 12, De Belen 12, Babauta 11, Marasigan 11, Muleta 3.

Bibak 85 – Batonn 18, Sanciangco 12, Pacheco 12, Casabuena 11, Padolina 8, Cantos 7, Ardales 6, Ong 4, Rodillo 4, Almendras 3.

Scoring by quarters: 24-9, 54-29, 81-57, 104-85.

Referees: Jess Pacheco and Erick Artillaga.

Second Game

NAMFREL 88 – Sabordo 22, Pe 19, Gagate 14, Palero 12, Samson 9, Garcia 6, Miday 6.

SMF 68 – Itaas 17, Pardinan 10, Sison 9, Moses 7, Delfin 6, A. Tagle 6, Demegillo 4, Robles 3, B. Tagle 2, Lerio 2, Badilles 2.

Scoring by quarters: 17-26, 42-42-, 65-53, 88-68.

Referees: Dado Vistal and Arnold Mesa.