Century on a roll in San Mig caging

Century Insurance matched the longest winning streak in the Inaugural 2008 PILCOWA-San Miguel Beer Basketball League, gaining its fourth consecutive victory after outclassing Diamond Auto Care, 100-97, Saturday night at the CIC Centre Basketball Court in Garapan.

MIGS was the first team to nail fourth straight wins, before Century foiled its bid for a fifth win in a row with the latter scoring a 98-94 upset over the former last week. MIGS regained its form after whipping Olivos/Realiance Construction, 88-72, in the second game Thursday night.

Century played heads up basketball in the last 1:07 of the match to pull off a three-point triumph and improve to a 4-1 record, tying MIGS’ record in string of victories. Century’s lone loss was against Aon Insurance during the league’s opener last month.

A breakaway layup by Jawn Joyner broke the last deadlock of the game, while William Opone had a steal, and Larry Palero collared an offensive rebound and split his charities to help Century preserve the win.

Ronald Delos Reyes tied the match when he made an undergoal stab in the last 1:07 of the game, 97-all, and had chance to give Diamond the lead when he drew a foul from Opone on his way to the basket. But Delos Reyes, who canned his previous four charities, missed the bonus shot.

Century secured the rebound and set up its offensive play with Bing Marasigan finding Opone underneath the basket for an alley-hoop. But Opone muffed the shot and Diamond regained possession and sprinted to their frontcourt.

Brendo Talania threw a crosscourt pass to Junar Guiab who was slightly open from the left baseline and pulled up for a short jumper, but missed.

There was a battle for the possession near the midcourt with Wowie Abuel wisely tapping the ball to Joyner as the former had no clear control of the ball.

Joyner picked up the ball and went for a fastbreak layup, putting Century back in the driver’ seat, 99-97, with 11 seconds left on the clock.

Guiab quickly inbounded from the baseline and threw a pitch to Esdrelon, but Opone intercepted the long pass. Esdrelon quickly fouled Opone to stop the clock, which read nine seconds.

Opone drilled his charities in his last two trips to the 15-foot line, but failed to deliver under pressure missing both free throws. Fortunately, Palero was there to grab the offensive rebound and was fouled by Delos Reyes, with four seconds remaining in the game. Palero missed his first free throw, but gave Century an insurance basket when he made the second one.

Guiab inbounded the ball to Robert Tamondong, who was forced to jump to save the ball from going out of the right sideline in front of their bench and still had the presence of mind to kick it out to Esdrelon.

Esdrelon had a good look at the basket from beyond the arc, but his triple fell short, ending Diamond Auto Care’s chances to send the game in overtime.

Palero and Abuel paced Century with 20 points apiece, while Marasigan and Joyner chipped in 18 and 15 points, respectively.

Guaib led Diamond Auto Care with 28 points, but it was not enough to save his team from absorbing its second straight loss.

In the second match, Bonbon Cadagat and Sonny Lerio redeemed themselves from unimpressive games against Century, combining for 37 points in their 15-point win over Olivos.

Century Insurance 100 – Abuel 20, L. Palero 20, Marasigan 19, Joyner 15, Vinas 11, Opone 8, de la Torre 4, Gapor 4.

Diamond Auto Care 97 – Guiab 28, Esdrelon 25, Ranola 20, Delos Reyes 16, Talania 12.

Scoring by quarters: 25-26, 53-59, 80-77, 100-97.

MIGS 88 – Cadagat 20, Bernardo 20, Lerio 17, Basila 10, Tamayo 6, Capalad 4, Doronilla 4, Pantaleon 2, Banatasa 2, Demapan 2, Moises 2.

Olivos 72 – De Vero 20, Montano 14, Arreza 13, Mendoza 12, Mercurio 7, Mendiola 4, Casabueno 2.

Scoring by quarters: 23-22, 40-37, 64-47, 88-72.