Konflikt-IT&E outlasts Mobil in OT

 Konflikt-IT&E sparked a late surge in a back-and-forth duel with Mobil and held on strong in the clutch to snatch a 92-84 victory in overtime in Sunday’s Garapan Basketball League IT&E Cup held at the Garapan Basketball Court.

A continuation match preceded the main game, which ended in the Rebels overcoming an eight-point halftime deficit to upset FGC, 72-66.

Both Konflikt-IT&E and the Rebels are officially on a winning streak with a pair of wins apiece, while Mobil dropped its second game in three matches and FGC (2-1) was issued its first loss. Notably, Sunday’s winners are also the only two unbeaten teams left in GBL’s eight-team field.

Mobil trailed by three, 59-62, heading into the final period of regulation, but rallied at crunch time to force overtime, 77-77.

IT&E then nailed a trio of 3-pointers in the extra period to take the win.

IT&E’s Elmer Esdrelon, Dave Sablan, and Wowie Abuel each helped make it rain in the shining moment.

IT&E managed a 19-17 lead after the opening tip thanks to a couple of early 3-pointers, but Mobil battled back in the second period and claimed a 44-40 lead at halftime.

Juan Maratita came out with seven points in the rally, which was complemented by welcomed support.

Bart Demapan, Leo Factor, and Maratita led Mobil with an even 30 markers in the first half, while eight different players put a hand in for IT&E in the frame.

Sablan took the reins in the third period with 13 points as IT&E held a slight edge, 62-59, heading into the fourth quarter.

After being held to just 15 points in the previous period, Mobil’s offense answered back and reciprocated IT&E’s effort in the clutch.

Mobil fought hard in the fourth to grind out a 77-77 stalemate, but its shots ran cold in the bonus period.

Sablan lit up Mobil with 37 points in a gem of a game, while Demapan and Maratita tallied 20 apiece on the short end.

Back in Saturday night’s late tiff, FGC built a healthy 17-9 advantage in the opening 10 minutes off six points apiece from Kae Bernardo and Lerio Pagarao. Rebels’ Sahj Hossain managed six against the early onslaught.

Teams traded baskets in the second quarter as FGC maintained a 38-30 lead at halftime.

FGC’s Pagarao added six points in the period, while Trevor Ogumoro chipped in seven for the Rebels, but heavy rainfall during the break forced organizers to postpone the match until Sunday.

The Rebels battled their way back into the match when action picked back up Sunday night and knotted up the count at 47-all heading into the fourth quarter.

The fiery Rebels’ defense stood up against FGC but the latter still managed to save face from six free throws in the third quarter.

Hossain led the comeback with a handful of markers in the third quarter, and although FGC did a good job taking him out equation at crunch time, his teammates stepped up for him and filled the void with a more than supportive 21-point outburst that sent FGC packing.

It was a hard-fought battle as the Rebels accrued 22 fouls to FGC’s 19 in the bout, which resulted in both Rebels’ Zack Babuta and FGC’s Derrick Aughenbough fouling out of the game.

Hossain led all scorers with 21 points, while FGC’s Banjo Basila buried 10 free throws and finished with a team-high 14.

First Game

Rebels 72 – Hossain 21, Ogumoro 12, Fitial 11, Manglona 10, Lisua 5, Villacrusis 3, Hambros 2, Litulumar 2, Sacramento 2, Aughenbaugh 2.

FGC 66 – Basila 14, Pagarao 12, Yabut 10, Bernardo 8, David 6, Babauta 5, Bahillo 5, Gamboa 3.

Scoring by quarters: 17-9, 30-38, 47-47, 72-66.

Second Game

Konflikt 92 – Sablan 37, Esdrelon 16, Joyner 9, Abuel 7, Palacios 6, Tamayo 5, Aquino 4, Metran 4, Barrios 2, Berline 1, Capalad 1.

Mobil 84 – Demapan 20, Maratita 20, De Guzman 18, Factor 10, Lizama 9, Gapor 6, Ruluked 2.

Scoring by quarters: 19-17, 40-44, 62-59, 77-77, 92-84.