Bayani/Mobil gains share of lead

Bayani/Mobil turned on the heat in the second half to beat UPAA/Docomo Hoopaholics, 95-81, in the lone game played in the UFO Inter-Organization Basketball Friendship League 2011 Bud Cup on Saturday night at the TSL Sports Complex.

The victory was second in as many games for Bayani/Mobil, putting Marvin Deocares’ awards to a tie for first place with VisMinda/Satbahi. UPAA/Docomo Hoopaholics fell to a 1-1 card.

Namfrel/Proa and Cabalen/Noni were scheduled to duel in the second match of the night, but the game was cancelled due to the unplayable court. It rained hard Saturday, leaving the court moist and slippery. Organizers tried to dry out the court after the first game, but it continued raining and officials decided to call it a night for the players’ safety.

The cold weather brought by continuous rain must have rubbed off on Bayani/Mobil players, as they were lethargic in the opening frame and it took them the entire first half before their offense heated up.

Bayani/Mobil fell behind by eight after the first period, 15-23, as it failed to neutralize Dave Sablan early. Sablan sizzled for 12 markers, while teammate Kevin Fitial chipped in nine.

UPAA/Docomo Hoopaholics hung on to the lead at halftime, 40-37, although Mobil began picking up its scoring in the second canto behind the 13 points of Jun Estolas.

Then in the third period, Bayani/Mobil managed to equalize, 62-all, as Estolas continued hitting his mark and Gyles Ruluked also found his rhythm after being held to only three field goals in the first half. Estolas and Ruluked combined for 15 points for Mobil in the third canto.

In the fourth quarter, Pete Lizama took over to complete Bayani/Mobil’s recovery. Lizama was limited to only two points in the first period, but redeemed himself in the payoff canto, scoring 13 points to lead Bayani/Mobil’s breakaway.

UPAA/Docomo Hoopaholics lost the lead and eventually the win, as it had only four players making it to the scoreboard and Sablan went cold in the final canto. The UPAA/Docomo Hoopaholics gunner was limited to one field goal in the fourth period, while after scoring 15 points in the first three quarters, Fitial was held to a pair of free throws and one field goal. James Villacrusis was the lone UPAA/Docomo Hoopaholics player to log more than two field goals in the payoff frame.

In contrast, Lizama got enough support from Estolas, Ruluked, and three other players in the fourth quarter to give Mobil it’s second come-from-behind win. Bayan/Mobil nailed its first win over Cavite’Andok’s, recovering from a five-point deficit in the last two minutes of the match and pulling off an 88-84 triumph last week.

Estolas led all scorers with 32 points, while Ruluked chipped in 22.

Sablan paced UPAA/Docomo Hoopaholics with 28, while Villacrusis contributed 26.

[B]Bayani/Mobil 95[/B] – Estolas 32, Ruluked 22, Lizama 15, Sharry 7, Aughenbaugh 6, De Guzman 5, Factor 2, Gapor 2, Gamboa 1.
[B] UPAA/Docomo Hoopaholics 81[/B] – Sablan 28, Villacrusis 26, Fitial 19, Manibusan 8.
[B] Scoring by quarters: [/B] 15-23, 37-40, 62-62, 95-81