X-Terminators slip past GEC in FMI league

The Advance X-Terminators leaned on its veterans and youth players in squeezing out a 101-100 win over GEC Panwshop in Friday night’s action in the 2008 FMI-Inter-Color Basketball League at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The veteran pair of Andres “Jhun” Estolas Jr. and the come-backing Melvin Villarin teamed up with the youthful Lerio Pagarao and Jonathan Lim in the X-Terminators’ fourth quarter comeback to secure the Advance-backed crew’s third straight win in as many games.

The win allowed the X-Terminators to join the Sonny Flores-mentored Ol’Aces on top of the standings as both teams sport a 3-0 record. The loss dropped the Pawnbrokers to a three-way tie with Shirley’s Coffee Shop-Blue Hauz and TASI Tours from third to fifth spots with similar 2-2 slates.

It was a tight contest at the start of the first quarter but GEC slowly pulled away in the second and third periods as Manuel Ajoste, Budz Camacho, and Mark Wallace joined forces to allow the Pawnbrokers enjoy several double-digit leads.

Estolas, Villarin, Pagarao, and Lim combined for 31 of their team’s points in the fourth quarter to help the X-Terminators come back from a 70-77 deficit and pull off the thrilling win.

Estolas topscored for the X-Terminators with 31 points, while Villarin scattered 19 more. Pagarao, despite shooting 33 percent at the free throw line going 2-for-7 in the fourth quarter—finished with 17 points while Lim had a quiet 14, most of which scored in the final canto.

Mark Wallace paced GEC’s losing cause with 24 points while Budz Camacho also chipped in 24 markers. Manuel Ajoste, Molly Cacho, and Amor Casabuena finished with 14, 11, and 11 each.

Earlier, the Giants turned to its ex-VisMinda players in handing MIGS its third straight loss after pulling off a 100-93 triumph.

Banjo Basila, Pando Muleta, and Danny Bicera—all members of UFO champions and perennial title contender VisMinda—joined hands in second half to foil MIGS’ several come back attempts.

Basila had a breakout game ending up with 25 points, while Muleta backed him up with 18 markers as well as orchestrating the team’s offensive plays. Bicera muscled his way inside against MIGS defenders to finish with 16 points.

Brendo Talania netted 15 points while George De Guzman tallied 14 more.

Raymond Cadagat remains MIGS’ main scoring option drilling in 28 points to continue showcasing his offensive prowess. Ronald Delos Reyes added 22 points while Jun Tabora came up with 17.

TASI Tours 100 – Basila 25, Muleta 18, Bicera 16, Talania 15, De Guzman 14, De Belen 6, R. Peredo 6.

MIGS 93 – Cadagat 28, Delos Reyes 22, Tabora 17, Tagle 8, Banatasa 6, Doronilla 5, Dugos 4, Pardinan 3.

Scoring by quarters: 21-21, 47-44, 82-65, 100-93.

Referees: Arnold Mesa and Dado Vistal.
[B] Second Game[/B]

Advance X-Terminators 101 – Estolas 31, Villarin 19, Pagarao 17, Lim 14, Mendoza 6, R. Aranda 3, Gamboa 3, Mendoza 3, De Dios 2.

GEC Pawnshop 100 – Wallace 24, Camacho 23, Ajoste 14, Cacho 11, Casabuena 11, Umali 7, Celis 6,Lansang 4.

Scoring by quarters: 19-18, 42-50, 70-77, 101-100.

Referees: Jess Pabula and Michael A. White.