Life Force rallies vs Fong’s Bakery, 75-73

Life Force notched its first victory in the B-Bracket of the 2011 Blue Haus Invitational Basketball League after rallying against Fong’s Bakery, 75-73, Tuesday night at the Gualo Rai Basketball Court.

The team relied on defense in the payoff period to overcome a seven-point deficit at the end of the third quarter and eke out the improbable win.

Aside from Life Force’s airtight defense, Fong’s Bakery also seemed to ran out of gas, committing plenty of turnovers en route to scoring just nine points in the fourth.

The team also had a timeout to spare in the waning moments of the game with a chance to send it to overtime, but elected not to use it.

After the first three quarters, Fong’s Bakery appeared to have the game in the bag despite dressing only seven players.

Life Force players also seemed to contradict their team name as they came out lethargically after a nip-and-tuck first half.

The team led, 19-11, in the opening period thanks largely to eight points from Jessie Ordonez.

Fong’s Bakery, however, scrambled to pull within a point, 34-35, at the half as Fernando Cadag heated up with nine points.

Danny Danipog picked up where Cadag left off, delivering 14 points in the third that put the Life Force on life support, 64-57, with 10 minutes to go.

But Life Force doubled Fong’s Bakery’s output in the fourth frame to come out with the victory.

Ordonez led three other teammates in double figures with 20, while Danipog took game-high honors with 26 in the loss.

It was the first win in five tries for Life Force, while Fong’s Bakery absorbed its fourth loss in six assignments.

In other results, C-Bracket’s GPPC (4-2) advanced to the playoffs after knocking off Jacem Printing (1-4), 85-65, in last Thursday’s opener; B’s iFashion (3-1) defeated Fong’s Bakery, 60-49 in Thursday’s late pairing; and A’s Aldrin (1-4) finished its regular season run on a high note, upsetting MBI (2-3), 60-50, in Aug. 2 closer.

In Thursday’s opener, GPPC came alive in the second quarter after managing a two-point lead against Jacem Printing, 17-15.

GPPC jumped ahead, 44-26, in the second quarter as Randy Mungcal and Arthur Rivera combined for 21 points.

Jacem Printing was shorthanded in the contest, but GPPC showed no mercy and the game was well out of hand by the halftime break.

Jacem Printing’s Dante Olivos still managed a game-high 27 points in the loss, besting Mungcal by a bucket.

In Thursday’s late game, Fong’s Bakery took a candlestick 24-23 lead after the opener quarter before resting with a 31-29 edge at the half.

iFashion, however, remained patient and turned it on in the second frame. Notably, both teams combined for just 13 points in the entire second quarter.

iFashion regrouped and pulled ahead, 46-40, in the third period and allowed just nine points from its opponents.

iFashion’s Angelo Fernando put together a seven-point string early in the fourth and his team’s defense held strong for the win. He led all scorers with 21, while Fong’s Bakery’s Jason Bahillo delivered 20 on the short end.

In the Aug. 2 game, Aldrin doubled-up MBI, 14-7, in the first period thanks to a pair of 3-pointers by Martin Moreno.

MBI nailed seven free throws plus two from behind the arc, but still trailed Aldrin by two possessions, 26-22, at halftime.

Moreno stretched it to a three-possession advantage in the third quarter, 39-33, and teammate John Jugos came off the bench in the second half and helped seal the deal.

Jugos exploded for 12 points in the clutch, five of which were pressure-packed free throws.

Moreno and teammate David Indalecio tallied 13 markers apiece, while MBI’s Art Trajano powered his way to 18 points in the loss.

Last night, Jacem challenged Mawati (2-2) before fellow division rivals Cell Pro (2-2) and Lyn’s BBQ (1-3) took the floor.

The season continues in Gualo Rai with a tripleheader this Saturday starting with Life Force against Buds Brothers (1-5) at 6pm followed by A’s Star Water (2-2) over 8th Division (1-2) at 7pm. Then Star Water will stay on the court to square off with MBI to close the evening.

TUESDAY

Life Force 75 – Ordonez 20, Ibanez 15, Ganalden 11, Santiago 10, Cabaddu 6, Buniag 5, Sablan 3, Juquilon 2, Perez 2, Ramos 1.

Fong’s Bakery 73 – Danipog 26, Diyco 16, Cadag 13, DL Guerrero 7, Aguilar 7, Faustino 2, Sevilla 2.

Scoring by quarters: 19-11, 35-34, 57-64, 75-73.

THURSDAY

First Game

GPPC 85 – Mungcal 25, A. Rivera 18, Sampang 15, Tagle 8, B. Rivera 5, Averas 6, Ocampo 4, Jimenez 2.

Jacem Printing 65 – Olivos 27, Jose 17, Mateo 9, Manalo 7, Mcakle 3, Ochaluce 2.

Scoring by quarters: 17-15, 44-26, 62-46, 85-65.

Second Game

iFashion 60 – Fernando 21, Mc. Achas 11, Gatdula 8, Herrera 6, Salazar 6, Mi. Achas 4, Odicta 2, Villanueva 2.

Fong’s Bakery 49 – Bahillo 20, Chan 7, Cadag 6, Danipog 4, Diyco 4, DL Guerrero 4, Aguilar 2, Sevilla 2, Faustino 1.

Scoring by quarters: 23-24, 29-31, 46-40, 60-49.

TUESDAY

Aldrin 60 – Moreno 13, Indalecio 13, Jugos 12, Griffin 6, Ciano 4, Santos 4, Laniyo 3.

MBI 50 – Trajano 18, Dela Rama 13, Achas 8, Tala 3, J. Alvarez 2, Angeles 2, Cabrera 2, Viola 2.

Scoring by quarters: 14-7, 26-22, 39-33, 60-50.