Three straight wins for Cabalen/Noni

Cabalen/Noni notched its third win in a row after whipping VisMinda/Satbahi, 89-70, in the UFO Inter-Organization Basketball Friendship League 2011 Bud Cup on Tuesday night at the TSL Sports Complex.

Cabalen now has a 5-1 record, boosting its chances for the top spot and a bye in the first round of the playoffs. The Noni-supported squad is only a game behind second-running UPAA/Docomo Hoopaholics (6-1). Namfrel/Marianas Health Service Proa is on top of the nine-team field with a perfect 5-0 record. These three squads could still switch places, as they have games left in the regular season. Cabalen will face Proa on Sept. 29 and Cavite on Sept. 25, while Proa will meet Cavite this Sunday and the Hoops on Sept. 27.

VisMinda fell to a 4-4 mark and with no games left, it could either place sixth or fifth in the team standings. Right now VisMinda shares the fifth to sixth place with MAFEA/Ali’i Konflikt. Mobil/Bayani (3-3) occupies the fourth spot, while Cavite/Andok’s (2-5) to complete the seven-team playoffs.

Kae Bernardo, Wowie Abuel, and Bon Tamayo teamed up in Cabalen’s 19-point win over VisMinda. Bernardo had a game-high 26 points, while Abuel and Tamayo logged 20 and 18, respectively.

VisMinda absorbed its second straight loss, as it played with a depleted crew and the remaining players failed to get their acts together. VisMinda was without the injured Darwin Barbo and Errol Peredo and though Rolly Paraiso, Elgene Mangali, and Manalo Manalo scored in double figures, they could not make successive baskets.

VisMinda was still in the game after the first half, falling behind by single digits, 36-44, before Cabalen stepped on the gas in the third and pulled away, 69-47. Tamayo led the breakaway, converting four triples and recording 14 points.

Abuel continued Cabalen’s impressive outside shooting in the fourth, nailing two triples and firing eight points, while Bernardo added six to complete Cabalen’s domination of VisMinda.

Bernardo kept Cabalen on top in the first half, as he sizzled for 17 points. He had a slow start, drilling only two field goals in the first period that ended with Cabalen ahead by only five, 21-16. Bernardo then was unstoppable in the second canto, scoring Cabalen’s last 11 points for their eight-point lead at the break.

Cabalen/Noni 89 – Bernardo 26, Abuel 20, Tamayo 18, Pagarao 9, Demapan 6, Miranda 2, Yabut 2, David 2.

VisMinda/Satbahi 70 – Paraiso 14, Mangali 11, Manalo 10, Aquino 7, Inos 6, Camacho 6, De Dios 4.

Scoring by quarters: 21-5, 44-36, 69-47, 89-70.