Bayani/Mobil eliminates Cabalen/Noni

Bayani/Mobil stole the semis seat from Cabalen/Noni after eking out a 110-105 victory in their walkout-marred playoff game in the UFO Inter-Organization Basketball Friendship League 2011 Bud Cup on Sunday night at the TSL Sports Complex.

Mobil won the match in the last 25.1 seconds, climbing back from a nine-point deficit, while Cabalen/Noni lost its composure down the homestretch after committing two costly turnovers and a crucial technical foul.

Wowie Abuel was charged with the first miscue when he challenged the defense of Jun Estolas and attempted a spin move from the right shaded lane. Abuel drilled the basket, but it was nullified, as referee Gabriel White called a traveling violation on the Noni guard.

With the infraction, Mobil was given back possession with Noni ahead by only a hair, 105-104, 25.1 seconds left on the clock.

Before the Noni error, Leo Factor made it a one-point game, 104-105, after canning two charities. Factor was fouled when Banjo Basila pushed him off while trying to fight a screen for Estolas at the right corner.

Both teams sued for time in the last 25 seconds of the fourth quarter and when game resumed, Mobil went to its moneyman—Estolas. The veteran guard then called for an isolation play from the top key, drove to the right wing, was slightly bumped by Kae Bernardo, stopped and pulled up for a 10-footer, banking it in.

Estolas’ clutch basket gave Mobil the lead, 106-105, and with the clock ticking Cabalen went for a quick inbound with Bart Demapan receiving an outlet from Lerio Pagarao. However, Demapan, who was at the right baseline a few steps away from the basket, was not squared off for the pass and slid his right foot while bending down to get the ball. White caught Demapan’s foot stepping on the baseline and called the infraction. Noni players and supporters went ballistic after the crucial call and in the end White had heard enough and charged Bernardo a technical foul.

The violation gave Mobil two free throws and possession and even before Estolas could have taken the bonus shots, Cabalen players started leaving the court in protest of the previous call. Estolas drilled the two charities, upping their lead to three, 108-105, with 8.3 seconds left on the clock.

Officials still gave Cabalen a few minutes to return to the court, but only Pagarao stayed and Jun Pantaleon and Rex Yabut remained on the bench, while majority of their teammates were already at the parking lot of the facility. Larry Sharry made an uncontested layup to complete Mobil’s come-from-behind win and join Namfrel/Proa in the semifinals

Mobil pulled off the five-point victory despite falling behind by nine, 94-103, with 2:27 left on the clock. The ever-reliable Estolas carried Mobil in the homestretch, scoring eight points in the closing minutes, while Gyles Ruluked added four, and Factor nailed two pressure-packed free throws.

Cabalen had a chance to wrap up the match in the last two minutes, but collapsed when it went 2-for-4 from the foul line and was without a field goal in the last 2:27 of the match.

The win over Cabalen avenged Mobil’s 87-97 loss to the former in the regular season. Cabalen is now eliminated.

Meanwhile, league officials will meet this week to discuss Cabalen’s walkout.

In the first playoff game, Cavite/Andok’s stunned second-ranked UPAA/Docomo Hoopaholics.

Cavite capitalized on the Hoops’ depleted crew to cruise to an easy win. The Hoops played with only six players.

Despite their limited manpower, the Hoops still managed to have a strong start and led, 35-22, after the opening quarter. The Hoops connected on four triples and Dave Sablan tallied 14 markers for their double-digit lead.

However, the Hoops’ offense slowed down beginning in the second period and from there Cavite took over en route to the big 42-point win. Cavite outgunned the Hoops in the last three quarters, 35-13, 30-14, and 40-23, to advance to the semifinals.

Freddie Pelisamen paced Cavite with 32 points, while Pando Muleta added 22. Peter Camacho and Mike Umali chipped in 15 each, Joy Dayrit contributed 14, and J.R. Montano scored 13 off the bench.

Cavite/Andok’s 127 – Pelisamen 32, Muleta 22, Camacho 15, Umali 15, Dayrit 14, Montano 13, Wesley 7, Olaitiman 6.

UPAA/Docomo Hoopaholics 85 – D. Sablan 39, Villacrusis 16, Mendez 11, Villagomez 8, Lee 6, Cabrera 4.

Scoring by quarters: 22-35, 57-48, 87-62, 127-85.

Bayani/Mobil 110 – Estolas 40, Ruluked 24, Gamboa 15, Lizama 12, Fernando 9, Factor 6, Sharry 2, De Guzman 2.

Cabalen/Noni 105 – Bernardo 41, Demapan 14, Basila 13, Pagarao 12, Abuel 12, Yabut 7, Tamayo 2.

Scoring by quarters: 19-16, 51-44, 75-79, 110-105.