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E&E rules Gualo Rai caging
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Posted on Apr 23 2009
E&E survived Miller Lite’s fourth-quarter rally to eke out a 93-84 victory and sweep the title series in the 2009 Gualo Rai Friendship Basketball League Wednesday night at the Guolo Rai Basketball Court.
A 9-0 windup in the last two minutes of the game allowed E&E to wrap up the series and foil Miller Lite’s bid to force a Game 3. E&E won Game 1 of the best-of-three title showdown, 78-65, Monday night.
After Al Lansang’s pull-up jumper tied the game for the first time, 84-all, since the 2-2 tally in the first quarter, Ed Cosino, Dennis Morales, and Danny Bicera made timely baskets to halt Miller Lite’s rally.
Cosino put E&E back into the lead when he attacked the defense of a foul-troubled Alex Lauron and made a layup, 86-84, with 1:54 left in the game.
Bicera and Mark Francisco then teamed up for a big defensive stop on the other end, harassing Lansang, who eventually lost the ball. Bicera picked up the loose ball and fed Morales for a fastbreak layup.
Miller Lite had another botched offensive play when it got the possession back and E&E answered with a reverse layup from Bicera to up the lead to six, 90-84. E&E sealed the win in the last one minute of the game from the free throw line.
Morales led E&E’s victory, scoring 27 points. He was later named Finals MVP and was also part of the Mythical Team. Joining Morales in the group were Francisco, Lauron, Jojo Garon, and Danny Dayrit.
Francisco fired 21 markers in the finals and won in the 3-point shootout contest. Bicera and Cosino added 17 and 12 points, respectively.
Lauron was the second highest scorer for Miller Lite in Game 2, making 22 markers. Lansang paced Miller Lite with 31 points, while Garon chipped in 15.
Eric Dizon of E&E took the Coach of the Year Award, while AON won the Sportsmanship Trophy.
The inaugural staging of the Gualo Rai caging, which was supported by Pacific Trading Co., drew six teams. Included on the list were third placer Wushin, Genesis, and Blue Aces.
E&E 93 – Morales 29, Francisco 21, Bicera 17, Cosino 12, N. Dizon 6, Reyes 4, Nicdao 2, E. Dizon 2.
Miller Lite 84 – Lansang 31, Lauron 22, Garon 15, Sarmiento 10, Babauta 4, Obnimaga 2.
Scoring by quarters: 20-20, 54-36, 73-63, 93-84.
