MDX, AFP/Jets notch wins

MDX/Armatech and the AFP/Jets emerged victorious in their separate games in the UFO Inter-Organization Youth Basketball Visio-Docomo Pacific Cup 2011 last Saturday at the TSL Sports Complex.

MDX/Armatech played in the first game and routed Filcag/Rollers, 80-66, to improve to a 2-0 record and take the solo lead in the five-team field. In the second game, AFP/Jets also cruised to an easy victory, clobbering Samahang Laguna, 91-56.

After almost losing its 15-point halftime lead, 40-25, as Filcag/Rollers moved within four in the third, 50-54, MDX went all out in the fourth with a 32-16 scoring for the 14-point victory.

MDX managed a slim 18-15 edge in the opening quarter behind the seven points of Christian Devero. Then MDX’s defense stuffed the Rollers to just 10 points in the second quarter, to pull away at the break, 40-25

Rollers made some key halftime adjustments and battled back, 50-54, heading into crunch time. Josh Kiyoshi led the recovery, hitting 10 of his 18 points in the third.

The Rollers tried moving closer in the fourth, but Matt Duenas was there to save MDX, as he delivered 11 points in the clutch and drew enough support from his teammates.

Duenas finished with a game-high 29, while Rollers’ Brandon Aulerio led Rollers on the short end with 20.

In the second game, the Jets shot ahead, 25-8, and never looked back. Melvin Cadiang anchored the Jets’ strong start, scoring nine points.

Laguna’s offense started to show up in the second quarter, but the Jets still soared over their opponent at halftime, 50-27. Jets’ Sajh Hossain caught fire in the second quarter with his 17 markers.

The game was out of reach by the start of the second half, as the Jets stretched the lead to 25, 66-41, heading into the final canto. Eugene Manglona had cruise control for the Jets, as he tallied seven points in the third quarter. He added seven more in the final canto, as the Jets ran away with their first win after dropping their debut against Samahang Ilokano at Pangasinense, 73-80.

Samahang Laguna fell to a 0-2 card, as it also lost its first game over MDX, 51-59.

Hossain led the Jets with 29 points in the game, outscoring the Laguna duo of Frank and Gary Macahito, who tallied 11 points apiece.

MDX/Armatech 80[/B] – Duenas 29, Metran 9, Vertudez 9, Francisco 8, Castro 8, Devero 7, Rollon 4, Rabauliman 4, Maranan 3, Feria 2, Salas 1.
[B] Filcag/Rollers 66[/B] – Aulerio 20, Kiyoshi 18, Galarse 9, Hambros 7, Torres 4, Brennan 4, Namelo 2.
[B] Scoring by quarters:[/B] 18-16, 40-25, 54-50, 86-66.

AFP/Jets 91[/B] – Hossain 29, E. Manglona 19, Cadiang 13, De Leon 8, Webb 7, Sambile 4, DL Guerrero 4, Pena 2, Aguilar 2, Benavente 1.
[B] Samahang Laguna 56[/B] – F. Macahito 11, G. Macahito 11, Lapuz 8, J. Habijan 7, Aldan 4, Gagarin 4, Manalili 4, G, Habijan 2, Madreo 2, Damatan 1.
[B] Scoring by Quarters:[/B] 25-8, 50-27, 66-41, 91-56