Purple Rain nips Kidlat

Purple Rain survived Kidlat, 49-48, to bag its second win in three games in the 2015 Blue Haus/IT&E Inter-Color Basketball League last Saturday at the Navy Hill court.

Bruce Berline had a split to give Purple Rain a shaky lead, which it kept as Kidlat committed two crucial turnovers in the homestretch.

The Purple Rain center made his second free throw to break the deadlock and Kidlat went for the quick inbound, but failed to produce a basket, as Boy Garcia and Justin Zapanta had a miscommunication down the right baseline. The two Kidlat players were supposed to run a pick and roll play, but Zapanta slid in late, allowing Purple Rain’s R.J. Reyes to partially deflect the ball and later completed the steal.

Purple Rain went on to push the leather to its frontcourt with Donnel Isip on the finishing end, but his banked shot missed the target and the ball rolled down the sideline as the opposing teams battled for the offensive board. The ball hit a Purple Rain player last, awarding possession to Kidlat with 15 seconds left on the clock.

Kidlat called timeout to execute a game-winning play, but faltered on its bid, as Manolo Manalo dribbled off his foot on his way to the basket from the top of the key. Reyes picked up the loose ball and sent the leather to Paul Bautista, who went for a fastbreak layup, but his basket was not counted as time had already expired.

Bautista led Purple Rain’s close victory with his 14 points, while Berline chipped in 8. Manalo top-scored for Kidlat with his 25 markers, while Zapanta contributed 15.

Meanwhile, Wag Kang Pabebe cruised to a 74-62 win over Pasion De Amor last Friday.

Four players broke into double figures for Wag Kang Pabebe, which handed Pasion De Amor its second straight loss. Christian Devero registered 20 points, Oscar Mina had 17, and Brendon Talania and Stephen Tolosa added 13 and 10, respectively.

Devero and Tolosa combined for Wag Kang Pabebe’s first 14 points in the second half to give their team more cushion after leading by only a hair at halftime, 37-36. Mina finished what Tolosa and Devero started, drilling 11 of his total points in the final frame, including Wag Kang Pabebe’s last 5 markers.

Bart Demapan had 20 points to lead Pasion De Amor’s losing cause. Rey Pestillos tallied 13, but was held to two field goals in the second half, while Esdrelon made only one basket in that period to finish with 12 markers.

FRIDAY

Wag Kang Pabebe 74 – C. Devero 20, Mina 17, Talania 13, Tolosa 10, Macoto 8, Abadilla 6.

Pasion De Amor 62 – Demapan 20, Pestillos 13, Esdrelon 12, Sahagun 8, N. Arreza 6, B. Arreza 3.

Scoring by halves: 37-36, 74-62.

SATURDAY

Purple Rain 49 – Bautista 14, Berline 8, Leomo 8, Reyes 5, Deleon Guerrero 4, Isip 4, Cariaso 4.

Kidlat 48 – Manalo 25, Zapanta 15, Hernandez 4, Capalad 2, Garcia 2.

Scoring by halves: 27-21, 49-48.