Talania stars as Blue Haus nips Ferrera Builders

League-leading Blue Haus remains undefeated after beating Ferrera Builders, 81-79, on a buzzer-beater courtesy of Edwin Santos in last Monday’s QQ Car Rental Basketball Cup Invitational League curtain raiser at the Garapan Basketball Court.

Blue Haus trailed by six points in the last three minutes and its shots went cold until the final minute.

Brandon Talania delivered six points in the clutch, highlighted by a steal and an assist to teammate Dennis Vinas for the game-tying bucket.

Then in the final 10 seconds, Talania drove to the hoop before dishing it off to a wide-open Santos for the game-winner.

The win improved Blue Haus’ winning streak to six games, while Ferrera Builders’ record fell to 4-3.

In the second game, Mobil defeated Rollers Madness, 78-72, to improve to third place in the standings behind Blue Haus and Sonics (5-1) at 5-2. Madness’ slate fell to a win with a handful of defeats.

In the first game, Ferrera Builders managed an early 17-14 edge in the opening 10 minutes thanks to a late seven-point string by shooter Wowie Abuel.

Ferrera Builders maintained a 44-39 advantage at halftime as James Abuy nailed four 3-pointers in the second quarter.

Blue Haus regrouped after the break and knotted the game at 63-all heading into the final stanza. Rodney Sacramento and Bernard Aquino combined for 17 markers in the third quarter.

Ferrera Builders’ Abuy hit two more long balls in the fourth and his team managed to milk the clock for the majority of the period, but could not find an answer for Talania’s late upsurge.

Vinas’ 17 points led four Blue Haus players in double digits, while Ferrera Builders’ Abuy drained seven shots from downtown and led all scorers with 25 on the short end.

In the late match, Mobil constructed a slim 19-17 edge in the first period from six points apiece by Angelo Fernando and Juan Maratita.

Madness’ Manny Matagolai then caught fire and scored seven points in the second quarter to tie the game, 35-all, at the half.

Fernando paced his team with six points in the third quarter, as Mobil retained the lead, 52-50, with 10 minutes to go, despite a trio of 3-balls by Madness to end the period.

Then Mobil’s point guard Jun Estolas turned it up at crunch time with nine points that thwarted a 15-point combined effort from Madness’ Ivan De Vero and James Villacrusis in the final period.

Estolas led five Mobil players in double figures with 18 points, while Matagolai sank five from behind the arch for a game-high 23 in the loss.
[B] First Game

Blue Haus 81[/B] – Vinas 17, Aquino 15, Sacramento 14, Talania 14, Diaz 7, Santos 6, De Vero 4, Tabora 4.
[B] Ferrera Builders 79 [/B]– Abuy 25, Bernardo 13, Abuel 12, Demapan 11, Cruz 4, Miranda 4, Yabut 4, David 3, Tamenbong 3.
[B] Scoring by quarters:[/B] 14-17, 39-44, 63-63, 81-79.
[B] Second Game

Mobil 78[/B] – Estolas 18, Ruluked 15, Maratita 13, Fernando 12, Rabauliman 12, De Guzman 4, Sharry 4.
[B] Rollers Madness 72[/B] – Matagolai 23, De Vero 19, Rasa 9, Villacrusis 9, Reyes 6, Ulloa 3, Lisua 2, Litulumar 1.