Konflikt upsets Blue Haus in playoffs, 71-63

Konflikt knocked out Blue Haus, 71-63, in the opening round of last Wednesday’s 2nd QQ Car Rental Basketball Cup Invitational League playoffs at the Garapan Basketball Court.

In addition, defending champion Mobil kept its title hopes alive after eliminating last year’s runner-up Ferrera Builders, 69-64, in the late match.

Meanwhile, Konflikt took on the Smart Cagers in Part 1 of last night’s semifinals, while Mobil tipped off against the Sonics in the late feature; details of these results will be released Monday.

In addition, the QQ Cup All-Star game and regular season awards ceremony are set for Sunday night starting at 7:30pm in Garapan; weather permitting. Details of these events will also be released early next week.

In Wednesday’s opener, Blue Haus’ Dave Sablan tallied nine points in the opening 10 minutes as his team managed an early 18-15 lead.

Sablan took a rest at the start of the second quarter, allowing Konflikt to rally back. However, Sablan returned and managed six late points to close the frame and helped maintain Blue House’s slim three-point lead, 34-31.

Both squads continued to grind it out after the break as Konflikt pulled within a point, 49-50, heading into the final period. Konflikt’s Elmer Esdrelon began heating up with 11 markers in the third quarter.

At crunch time Esdrelon buried two 3-pointers for eight points as Blue House’s Sablan was limited to just three markers in the last quarter.

Esdrelon finished the game with 21 points, while Sablan tallied 25 on the short end.

In the second playoff game, Ferrera Builders worked the ball around well in the first period as seven players put a hand in on the action.

Then Ferrera Builders’ Kae Bernardo and Wowie Abuel provided seven points apiece in the second quarter to help maintain a 36-33 advantage at the half.

Mobils’ Jun Estolas and Marvin Rabauliman combined for 23 markers in the first half to keep their team in the game.

Mobil came alive after the break and shot ahead, 56-48, heading into the payoff period. Estolas led the charge with 13 points in the third quarter.

Mobil strategically milked the clock in the final 10 minutes and buried four pressure-packed free throws to move on.

Estolas led all scorers with 28 points, while Bernardo managed 17 in the loss.

Konflikt 71 – Esdrelon 21, B Camacho 12, Tumaquip 12, Libuw 11, Joyner 9, Mangali 5, Tamayo 1.

Blue Haus 63 – Sablan 25, Talania 15, Santos 13, Tabora 6, Fernandez 2, Sacramento 2.

Scoring by quarters: 15-19, 31-34, 49-50, 71-63.

Mobil 69 – Estolas 28, Rabauliman 19, Fernando 12, Ruluked 8, Abuan 2

Ferrera Builders 64 – Bernardo 17, Abuel 15, Demapan 10, Cruz 8, Mortos 5, Abuy 3, Miranda 2, Yabut 2.

Scoring by quarters: 17-18, 33-36, 56-48, 69-64.