MIGS, NRG move closer to finals stint

MIGS and C&R Distributor/NRG recorded contrasting wins in the continuation of the playoff round of Inaugural 2008 PILCOWA-San Miguel Beer Basketball League Monday night at the CIC Centre Basketball Court in Garapan to move a win away from advancing to the finals.

MIGS pulled off an 89-84 victory over Diamond Auto Care in the first game, while NRG stunned pennant champion Century Insurance, 98-86, in the second match.

Another triumph in tonight’s game against Century will give MIGS the first finals slot. NRG will also go for a victory against Diamond to claim the second finals seat. Wins by Century and Diamond will make an open race for the two championship tickets. Teams to lose two games in the playoffs will be booted out of the tournament.

MIGS, which had an easy time in its first playoff game against San Miguel, 95-82, drew tough resistance from Diamond.

But clutch baskets from Cadagat and successive misses and a couple of errors from Diamond in the closing minutes of the game allowed MIGS to eke out the five-point win.

After MIGS led at 76-67 midway in the final period, Junar Guiab scored eight in Diamond’s short 12-3 spurt to tie the game, 79-all, going into the last three minutes of the match.

Guiab tried to give the lead to Diamond, but missed a layup paving the way for a MIGS’ fastbreak play with Cadagat dishing the ball to Ernie Moses for an easy two points.

After a perfect assist and another Diamond miss Cadagat connected on a running shot to increase MIGS’s lead, 83-79, with 2:18 left on the clock.

Diamond sued for time, but after a short break, the Boy Garcia-mentored squad scored only a point on Darwin Barbo’s split. Banjo Basilla answered a basket against Elmer Esdrelon to up MIGS’ advantage to five, 85-80, with 1:43 left in the game.

Esdrelon’s two free throws kept Diamond’s hope alive, but in their next offensive play he stepped on the right sideline while preparing to drive handing ball possession to MIGS. Cadagat put the lead back to five on his two free throws, with 1:16 remaining in the game.

Bernard Aquino’s inside pass to Cosino was then intercepted by MIGS with Basila completing the steal and pitching the ball to Cadagat. The MIGS point guard was all alone for a fastbreak, but instead of going for an easy shot, he tried to be fancy, tapping the board after making a layup.

FIBA Level 1 referee William Sewell nullified the shot, as players were not allowed to do that.

MIGS’ coach and players argued the call and the game was halted, with 59 seconds left on the clock.

But Sewell’s call remained keeping MIGS’ lead to five.

Guiab made another basket cutting the lead to three, 84-87. Diamond had several chances to move closer or even tie the game, but Barbo and Ed Cosino muffed point-blank shots and Esdrelon missed a triple.

MIGS countered with a fastbreak play with Kae Bernardo making a basket and drawing a foul from Brendo Talania to seal the win, with only six seconds remaining on the clock.

In the second game, NRG pushed all the right buttons to catch Century off guard.

NRG was on target from downtown, connected on fastbreak layups, nailed a couple of alley-hoop shots, made a decent job from the free throw line, and played tough defense against Century’s frontliners.

Century center Larry Palero, who was consistent on offense in the regular season, had to bleed for points, as NRG’s defense clamped down on him. He finished with only six points. To make matters worse for Century, its snipers sparingly canned outside shots.

NRG’s younger and faster crew worned down Century, which failed to shuffle its players properly forcing the starting five to play extended minutes.

[B]First Game[/B] [B] MIGS 89[/B]—Lerio 29, Cadagat 18, Basila 11, Bernardo 11, Moises 7, Capalad 5, Demapan 5, Tamayo 2.

[B]Diamond 84[/B]—Esdrelon 26, Guiab 18, Ranola 13, D. Barbo 12, Talania 5, Bicera 3, Aquino 2, Cosino 2.
[B] Scoring by quarters:[/B] 17-15, 43-37, 69-62, 89-84.

[B]Second Game

NRG 98[/B]—Cruz 29, Estolas 22, Villarin 10, Peredo 10, Villacruris 9, Camacho 6, Capalad 4, Artates 2, Dayrit 2, Gamboa 1.

[B]Century 86[/B]—Abuel 26, Marasigan 18, Joyner 16, Gapor 7, Pagarao 7, Dela Torre 4, Opone 2, Vinas 2.
[B] Scoring by quarters:[/B] 25-18, 45-38, 73-53, 98-86.