San Vicente completes MDX semis cast

The San Vicente Saints caught the last bus to the semifinals of the 2011 MDX Amateur Radio Club Inter-Village Friendship League after crushing Susupe/Armatech, 78-58, last Sunday at the Civic Center Basketball Court in Susupe.

San Vicente ended up with a 20-point winning margin in the playoff game despite trailing after three quarters, as it held the depleted crew of Susupe to six points in the payoff period.

Susupe, which started the game with only six players and added one later in the second, was still on top at the end of the third canto, 52-50, behind the 12-point explosion of Jared Ano. However, the fourth-ranked squad in the playoffs ran out of offensive options in the final period and was limited to only three baskets. James Abuy made two field goals for five points, while Art Trajano had a free throw.

The Saints, on the other hand, saved the best for last, firing 28 points—their highest output in all four quarters. Eight different players contributed for San Vicente in the crucial fourth frame.

With the win San Vicente will face fellow young team San Antonio/Gene’s Barber in the semifinals this Sunday at 10:30am with the winner advancing to the one-game finals at 3:30pm on the same day. San Antonio marched into the semis after an 82-66 triumph over San Roque/Morales.

Travis Eubanks top-scored for San Vicente’s first playoff win with his 14 points, while Patrick Torres and Luizi Reyes added 12 and 11, respectively. The rest of the San Vicente players combined for 32 points. Three Susupe players scored in double figures with Abuy tallying 17, Ano making 16, and Trajano chipping in 14, but the rest of the team totaled only 13.

Both squads struggled early, missing all their shots in the first two minutes of play and the opening quarter ended in a tie, 9-all. Then in the second quarter, L.J. Reyes came off the bench and delivered nine points to put San Vicente on top at the break, 34-31.

Tables turned in the third period, as Ano lifted Susupe on his shoulders, scoring nine straight baskets in that canto for a 52-50 cushion. However, Ano went cold in the fourth period and the shorthanded Susupe eventually lost steam in the end.

Meanwhile, As Lito/Chow Queen defeated Garapan/JHEM’s in the first playoff game last weekend, 84-79.

As Lito also had a big fourth quarter, outgunning Garapan, 25-15, to turn a 59-64 deficit to a five-point win. As Lito fell behind by as much as 15 in the opening quarter, 8-23, before Sheen Metran, Mel Capalad, and Rainier Deleon Guerrero brought the team back and completed the come-from-behind victory.

Metran canned 16 of his 27 points in the fourth quarter, while Capalad and Deleon Guerrero finished with 16 and 12, respectively.

Metran and company will now be pitted against Chalan Kanoa/Fong’s Bakery in the other semis match that will be played this Sunday at 9am. Chalan Kanoa booked the second semis berth last weekend, following an 85-75 win against Chalan Kiya/Loving Hands.

[B]Second Game[/B] [B] As Lito/Chow Queen 84[/B] – Metran 27, Capalad 16, Deleon Guerrero 12, Tabamo 9, Wabinga 6, Lansang 4, Babauta 4, Galvez 2, Sacramento 2.
[B] Garapan/JHEM’s 79[/B] – Mat. Duenas 21, Ngeskebei 16, Montano 15, Catalla 10, Alipio 9, Camacho 4, Surima 2.
[B] Scoring by quarters:[/B] 8-23, 32-40, 59-64, 84-79.

[B]Fourth Game

San Vicente Saints 78 [/B]– Eubanks 14, Torres 121, Lu. Reyes 11, L.J. Reyes 9, Brennan 9, Lizama 4, Basa 4, Cruz 4, Galarse 2.

[B]Susupe/Armatech 58[/B] – Abuy 17, Ja. Ano 16, Trajano 14, Crisostomo 6, Moreno 5, Malasarte 2.

[B]Scoring by quarters:[/B] 9-9, 34-31, 50-52, 78-58.