SIP, Visminda survive; Cabalen wins with ease

Samahang Ilokano at Pangasinense-Flor A. Miranda and defending champion Visminda-Tambayan/Nel Atalig had their work cut out for them but still survived, while Cabalen-RP Construction/Transamerica won with ease as playoff action in the ongoing Budweiser-Coca Cola 6th UFO Inter-Organizational Basketball League continued Sunday.

The Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium played host to intense action as both SIP and Visminda had to put up strong performances down the stretch to win.

SIP was trailing for most parts of the game but finally had some magic work for them in the second half to pull off a 99-95 come-from-behind victory over LIPS-Mobil.

The two teams were evenly matched in the opening period but favor began to swing to LIPS’ corner in the second stanza as the Mobil-backed team put up a balanced attack, with Andres “Jhun” Estolas Jr., Kevin Cequena, Rowel Aranda, John Artates, and Gilbert Espinosa each scoring four or more points. While LIPS was cruising, SIP struggled and managed to add just 15 points to their corner, resulting in them trailing, 39-52, at the break.

The 13-point deficit did not rattle SIP, instead, it woke the team up as the cagers turned the tables at the start of the second half. Former national team player Edsel Mendoza had his way with eight points and the rest of the SIP players played well in support as the team outscored LIPS, 28-11, to turn their deficit into a 67-63 lead.

Estolas and company finally got their groove back in the fourth period and tried to make a charge in the closing minutes. However, SIP matched them point for point resulting in them holding their four-point lead for the win.

Elmer Esdrelon and Mendoza did much of their damage in the fourth quarter and led the team with 19 points apiece, while Junar Guiab, Leo Factor, and Bryan Flores each finished with 10 points or more.

Estolas led LIPS with 29 points, while Aranda and Cequena finished with 17 and 14 points, respectively.

In the second game, Visminda got strong resistance from NAMFREL-Region V/Sabungero but made clutch shots for a 112-108 victory.

NAMFREL managed to keep within striking distance of their opponents courtesy of their dominance on the boards and trailed by just six points at halftime, 51-57.

Visminda then kicked it up a notch and moved ahead by double digits as Errol Peredo, Jawn Joyner, and Jorge De Guzman fueled a strong push in the third quarter to pad their lead, 84-72.

Visminda had several chances at sealing the deal in the dying minutes, however, NAMFREL refused to lose and cut the lead to five points on a couple of occasions. Down by eight points, Noel Sabordo knocked in a triple with a little over two minutes left to pull NAMFREL to within five, 97-102. NAMFREL managed to hit key free throw to respond to baskets by Visminda, but in the end, Visminda’s weapons were just too much to handle.

Joyner and Pando Muleta led Vismidna with 23 and 22 points, while Peredo and Ed Cosino had 20 and 15 points. De Guzman finished with 13 points.

Sabordo led NAMFREL with 28 points, while Renato Pe and Ian Gonzaga added 26 and 20 points.

FIRST GAME

SIP 99 – Esdrelon 19, Eds. Mendoza 19, Guiab 14, Mendiola 13, Factor 11, Flores 10, Edm. Mendoza 9, Alegre 4.

LIPS 95 – Estolas 29, Aranda 17, Cequena 14, Espinosa 9, Abuy 8, Artates 7, Soriano 5, Barnabe 3, Diaz 3.

Scoring by quarters: 24-26, 39-52, 67-63, 99-95.

Referees: Dado Vistal and Eric Artillaga.

SECOND GAME

Visminda 112 – Joyner 23, Muleta 22, Peredo 20, Cosino 15, De Guzman 13, Bicera 7, Marasigan 7, De Belen 3, R. Gamboa 2.

NAMFREL 108 – Sabordo 28, Pe 26, Gonzaga 20, Palero 14, Gagate 12, Garcia 4, Samson 2, Nato 2.

Scoring by quarters: 27-22, 57-51, 84-72, 112-108.

Referees: Arnold Mesa and Jess Pacheco.

THIRD GAME

Cabalen 117 – Delos Reyes 20, Dalangin 19, Gatdula 11, Palma 10, Arnedo 9, Ranola 8, Mungcal 8, Sampang 7, Cortez 7, Pineda 6, D. Barbo 6, Ocampo 6.

Cavite 75 – J. Dayrit 24, Montano 14, Olayres 11, Aldan 8, B. Dayrit 5, Tolentino 5, Domingo 4, Hernandez 2, Manabat 2.

Scoring by quarters: 25-17, 58-34, 84-47, 117-75.

Referees: Dado Vistal and Noel Delos Santos.