Joeten, Best Deal/RNV keep win streak

Docomo’s Mel Manibusan is surrounded by Best Deal/RNV Construction defenders while attempting a shot during the first quarter of their game in the JEM/Mobil caging last Friday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Joeten and Best Deal/RNV Construction are still on a roll after easing past separate foes in the JEM Company Ltd./Mobil Customer Appreciation Basketball League last week at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

Joeten bagged its fourth straight win after whipping McDonald’s in last Thursday’s second game, 106-80, while Best Deal/RNV gained its third consecutive victory following a 68-54 triumph over Docomo in the curtain-raiser last Friday.

Best Deal/RNV kept its streak despite nearly losing the match via forfeit. Only three players were available for Best Deal/RNV when the 15-minute allowable time expired. However, Docomo, as a show of sportsmanship, gave Best Deal/RNV five more minutes to complete its roster.

Andy Mortos, Ryan Odicta, Jojit Jumaquio, Joseph Corong, and Ariel Baul eventually started out for Best Deal/RNV, while three of their teammates came in midway in the first quarter with the team ahead by only 3, 13-10.

Best Deal/RNV went on to take a 19-14 advantage in the first quarter and still could not pull away in the second before the right timing came in the third. Best Deal/RNV held Docomo to 4 points in the penultimate quarter, turning a 34-29 halftime edge to a 51-33 lead. Mortos had 8 points in the surge, outgunning the entire Docomo crew. Docomo drew only one field goal apiece from Treat Kaipat and Richard Mendiola in the third-quarter meltdown and never recovered from thereon to absorb its fourth straight loss since winning its debut in the league.

While Docomo is on a slump, Joeten is on the rise, having yet to drop a game since bowing to CUC about a month ago.

Kelvin Fitial led Joeten’s fourth win in a row after scoring 19 points against McDonald’s. Fitial and company blew the game wide open in the second half to hand McDonald’s its fourth defeat in six games.

Meanwhile, the league will switch its schedule starting today. Matches will now be played every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to give way to other leagues being played at the TSL Sports Complex, which houses the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

Thursday Game
Joeten 106 – Fitial 19, Lauron 16, Devero 12, Rogolifoi 8, Dionisio 8, Chariton 7, Rio 6, Tobias 6, Bautista 6, Sambile 4.
McDonald’s 80 – Mi. Achas 17, Gaspar 16, Gapor 15, Mc. Achas 14, Ladra 11, C. Achas 7.
Scoring by quarters: 18-22, 46-40, 72-60, 106-80.

Friday Game
Best Deal/RNV 68 – Mortos 22, Odicta 14, Jumaquio 10, Alfonso 10, Baul 9, Corong 2.
Docomo 54 – Sanciangco 16, Kaipat 9, Sablan 8, Hayes 7, Manibusan 4, Rabauliman 2, Mendiola, Sanchez 2.
Scoring by quarters: 19-14, 34-29, 51-33, 68-54.