MDX/Blue Haus stuns VisMinda

MDX/Blue Haus saved its best for last, pulling off an 80-60 upset over VisMinda/Satbahi in its final game in the UFO Inter-Organization Basketball Friendship League 2011 Bud Cup on Sunday night at the TSL Sports Complex.

The victory was the first for MDX, as it finished the round-robin regular season with a 1-7 record and placed last in the nine-team field. Despite the win, MDX is already out of contention for a playoff spot, while VisMinda, which dropped to a 4-3 mark, is assured of a seat in the next round.

The law of averages finally caught up with VisMinda, which registered its lowest point total in seven games against the already eliminated MDX.

Visminda had a lackluster offense right at the very beginning of the match, as it was held to only two field goals and six points in the opening quarter.

MDX had a better shooting night at the start of the game with Zack Babauta making two early triples to lift Blue Haus to a 16-6 advantage.

The Blue Haus-supported MDX continued to dominate VisMinda in the second quarter, as the former canned four more triples, two from Dexter Tenorio and one each from Alex Lauron and Babauta, while Ziddy Johanes chipped in seven markers. With the quartet teaming up on offense, MDX zoomed to a 41-18 lead at the break.

VisMinda still struggled in the second quarter and fell behind by 23 at halftime and though Marlon De Dios tried to pick up the team’s scoring in the third, MDX kept pushing and maintained a 52-35 lead.

In the payoff canto, VisMinda started connecting on their triples, but the five conversions from downtown were not enough to save the team from its third loss.

Ben Lisua and Johanes top-scored for MDX with 16 apiece, while Babauta and Tenorio added 15 and 13, respectively. Lauron and Zack Diaz combined for 16 markers.

De Dios was the lone double-figure scorer for VisMinda with 14 points.

In the curtain raiser, MAFEA/Ali’i Konflikt crushed NMBA/Mixed Blood, 101-64.

MAFEA/Ali’i Konflikt got off to a jackrabbit start, scoring 34 points in the opening quarter to take control of the match en route to a 37-point win, its biggest winning margin. MAFEA/Ali’i Konflikt, which is already in the playoffs, finished the round-robin competition with an even 4-4 record. NMBA fell to a 1-6 mark, joining MDX in the showers.

With MAFEA having a field day on offense, six of the nine players who suited up in the weekend match scored in double digits. Elmer Esdrelon had 19, Jawn Joyner nailed 18, Bernardo Aquino added 15, J.R. Barrios logged 13, and Badong Camacho and Brandon Talania contributed 12 apiece.

Randy Mungcal was the lone bright spot on NMBA’s side, as he exploded for a game-high 33 markers.

MAFEA/Ali’i Konflikt 101 – Esdrelon 19, Joyner 18, Aquino 15, Barrios 13, Talania 12, Camacho 12, Tumaquip 5, Guiab 4, Cruz 2.

NMBA/Mixed Blood 64 – Mungcal 33, Camacho 8, Montes 7, Roque 6, Detera 6, Timbal 2, Valiente 2.

Scoring by quarters: 34-18, 50-30, 78-44, 101-64.

MDX/Blue Haus 80 – Lisua 16, Johanes 16, Babauta 15, Tenorio 13, Lauron 9, Z. Diaz 7, Palacios 4.

VisMinda/Satbahi 60 – De Dios 14, Barbo 8, Sison 8, Manalo 7, Camacho 6, Santos 6, Mangali 3, Peredo 2.

Scoring by quarters: 16-6, 41-1852-35, 80-60.