SIP, Budweiser strong in MDX

Defending champion Samahang Ilokano at Pangasinense and powerhouse Budweiser accomplished their goals on Saturday, earning victories to keep pace with each other in the ongoing 2006 MDX Good Sportsmanship Basketball League Coca-Cola Cup at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

With their victories, the two remain tied atop the team standings with 5-1 win-loss records. Depending on how darkhorse RHT did last night, a three-way tie for first may still be in place. RHT was scheduled to face Kinpachi-Bank of Saipan. However, results were not available as of press time. RHT entered the match with a 4-1 record.

Budweiser opened the action and handed the UFO All Stars-Apollo’s its sixth straight loss with a 122-107.

Budweiser was quick to pull ahead as the team kicked off with a strong charge behind the guns of Sonny Lerio, James Abuy, and Taj Van Buren. Lerio hit four bombs from long range for 12 points, Abuy knocked in 10 points, and Van Buren hit two triples and had eight points as Budweiser took a 35-24 lead after the first period.

Budweiser was able to pad its lead a bit in the second stanza, and this time, the team was led by Bartley Demapan, who picked up where his teammates left off and worked hard for 12 points. With Demapan putting on a good show, Budweiser was able to go into the break ahead by 14 points, 63-49.

Abuy and Van Buren returned to their scoring ways in the third quarter, which featured Budweiser pulling away. Abuy knocked in 13 points and had three bombs, while Van Buren drilled a triple and scored 11 as the team outscored their opponents, 36-28, for a 99-77 lead.

The UFO Old Stocks weren’t going down without a fight, and youth cagers Kovin Ogumoro and Wylie Paez tried to bring their team closer. The two punched in 11 and nine points and UFO was closing in, but the effort came too late as time expired with Budweiser still holding a comfortable lead.

Abuy led Budweiser with 23 points, while Van Buren and Demapan finished with 19 and 16 points. Lerio was the player of the game and scored 15 points, while center Marlon De Dios and Jolan Mendoza chipped in 14 and 12 points.

Paez and Ogumoro led UFO with 27 points apiece, while Bong Malasarte and Jerry Lopez scored 16 and 14 points.

In the second game, SIP manhandled MOVER and picked up win No. 5 with a 113-82 victory.

As expected, MOVER put up a good fight, but only in the early goings. Elmer Esdrelon was feeling it from long range and drained three triples for SIP, while MOVER had a much more balanced attack that enabled the team to close the first period down by just three points, 24-27.

SIP then changed gears and began to speed away in the second period. Captain Rick Alegre scored 10 points, and the team was able to outscore the opposition, 29-17, to go into halftime with a 15-point edge, 56-41.

Brian Flores then took center stage as the sniper was on target for three triples for SIP in the third quarter. Flores wound up scoring 11 points, spearheading a run that enabled his team to increase its lead to 19 points, 81-62.

Flores added another triple in the fourth, and George Barbo put in quality minutes as he scored 12 points for SIP, which closed the game with ease.

Flores finished the game as the player of the game as he scored 25 points to lead SIP, while Esdrelon and Fred Pelisamen added 19 and 17 points. Alegre and Barbo also supported with 16 and 12 points.

Eric Dalangin led MOVER with 23 points, while Ryan Sanciangco and Dalewin Cortez pumped in 15 points apiece.

First Game

Budweiser 122 – Abuy 23, Van Buren 19, Demapan 16, Lerio 15, De Dios 14, J. Mendoza 12, Rangamar 7, Cruz 7, Factor 6, Celes 3.

UFO 107 – Ogumoro 27, Paez 27, Malasarte 16, Lopez 14, Pardinan 8, Sitchon 4, Mesa 4, Diyco 3, Canedo 2, Miday 2.

Scoring by quarters: 35-24, 63-49, 99-77, 122-107.

Referees: Tom Alegre and Eric Artillaga.

Second Game

SIP 113 – Flores 25, Esdrelon 19, Pelisamen 17, Alegre 16, G. Barbo 12, Guiab 7, Fernandez 4, Montano 4.

MOVER 82 – Dalangin 23, Sanciangco 15, Cortez 15, Domingo 9, Aquino 8, Gamboa 6, Dayrit 4, Johannes 2.

Scoring by quarters: 27-24, 56-41, 81-62, 113-82.

Referees: Arnold Mesa and Jess Pacheco.