SSFM tops San Antonio league

SSFM’s Andrew Palino, right, eludes the defense of Arianne Fish Mart’s Dexter Guiang for one of his several baskets in the fourth quarter of their title game in the San Antonio summer caging last Monday night at the San Antonio court. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

SSFM took the championship in the 2017 San Antonio Summer Basketball League after downing Arianne Fish Mart in the finals, 105-83, last Monday night at the San Antonio court.

Andrew Palino towed SSFM to the title win, as he led the team’s breakaway in the fourth quarter. Palino scored a game-high 25 points, 10 came in the fourth period and most of them were made off his daredevil drives as he toyed around with the defense of Arianne.

Before folding up and failing to contain Palino, Arianne was still very much in the game late in the third quarter. The match was even tied at 61-all, with a little over two minutes left in the penultimate canto before SSFM had an 11-6 windup to gain cushion, 72-67, entering the fourth period. Palino had 5 points in that late surge, while Leo Galarse and Jack Lizama combined for the 6 other markers.

SSFM went on to establish a double-digit lead in the early goings of the final canto, 77-67, off Dan Barcinas’ pair of charities, and Lizama’s completed and-1 play. SSFM never looked back, as Palino continued to do wonders for the team. SSFM posted its biggest lead at 103-77, after Andrew Ashburn’s five straight points off a fadeaway shot and a triple, down to the last 2:34 of the finale. SSFM wisely melted down the clock en route to the 22-point winning margin.

Besides Palino, four other SSFM players scored in twin digits in their title win. Barcinas chipped in 19, Ashburn added 18, and Galarse and Lizama contributed 17 and 11, respectively.

Paulo Sanguyo led Arianne’s losing effort after firing 25 points, while Ken Viray tallied 21, but was held to two field goals in the fourth quarter.

Meanwhile, in the battle for third place, Ali’i Blue Haus eased past Cuadro PS, 91-67.

Ali’i Blue Haus leaned on its balance offense to dominate Cuadro PS. All but one of Ali’i Blue Haus’ scorers registered double figures with John Santos top-scoring for the squad with his 18 points.

First Game
Ali’i Blue Haus 91 – Santos 18, Berline 15, Barbo 14, Pagarao 13, Tumaquip 12, Esdrelon 12, Guiab 5.
Cuadro PS 67 – Directo 17, Quan 14, Gunnacao 7, Guntar 6, Rivera 6, Ferrer 5, Manzano 4, Dayrit 3, Estolas 2.
Scoring by quarters: 21-13, 46-27, 74-43, 91-67.

Second Game
SSFM 105 – Palino 25, Barcinas 19 Ashburn 18, Galarse 17, Lizama 11, Libuw 8, Santos 4, Kapileo 2, Pantaleon 2.
Arianne 83 – Sanguyo 25, Viray 21, Mangali 10, Guiang 8, Almario 4, Lilles 5, Inos 3, Usi 2, Salazar 2, Paraiso 1.
Scoring by quarters: 17-17, 47-39, 72-67, 105-83.