SCS crushes depleted Navy Hill Gunners

Last season’s semifinalist SCS Heavy Equipment got off to strong start in the 2nd Domino Lux International Fraternity Basketball Invitational Friendship League, walloping the Navy Hill Gunners, 83-62, in the lone game completed last Monday night at the Gualo Rai Basketball Court.

SCS, which lost to eventual champion Blue Haus in the semifinals of the inaugural DLX league, 52-66, capitalized on a depleted Navy Hill crew to cruise to the 21-point win. Navy Hill had only five players available for the second match of the night.

Despite playing without relief, Bruce Berline, J.R. Barrios, Todd Montgomery, Joe Ito, and Chris Tomokane managed to stay in the game after the first period, as they were down by only 10 points, 10-20.

SCS knocked in three early triples in the opening canto to open a double-digit lead. In the second quarter, SCS continued to hit their shots from downtown with Jessie Mina making two triples and big man Glenn Aquino hitting his third trey of the night. With a limited manpower, Navy Hill had difficulties reacting to SCS’ good ball rotation, leaving the latter open either for long jumpers or underneath baskets. By the end of the first half, SCS’ lead ballooned to 16, 45-29.

Seeing that the game was almost in the bag, SCS relaxed a bit in the first five minutes of the third period, allowing Navy Hill to move within nine, 40-49. Berline and Barrios teamed up in Navy Hill’s 11-4 rally at the start of second half, combining for nine markers. However, Navy Hill failed to keep its momentum in the last five minutes of the third, while SCS closed out the quarter with a 15-4 scoring to pad the lead to 20, 64-44.

With their other teammates still a no-show in the fourth and final quarter, fatigue finally took its toll on Berline and company, while SCS kept pushing the game up for the easy victory.

SCS had four players scoring in double figures with Leo Galarse leading the way with 15 points. Mina finished with 14, while Aquino and Jun Pantaleon added 13 each. Berline top-scored for Navy Hill with 23, Barrios chipped in 13, and Tomokane and Ito contributed 11 and 10, respectively. Montgomery had a quiet eight points.

With the victory, SCS joins defending champion Blue Haus and Mobil Smiles in the win column. Navy Hill, on the other hand, is in the company of opening day losers QQ Rent A Car and Smart Cagers.

Meanwhile, Crystal Pure/Mekeni Abe led the rained-out game against Blue Haus Hite, 28-25. The game was halted after the first half and will resume on a later date.

Kae Bernardo scored 11 points in the first 20 minutes of play to pace Crystal Pure/Mekeni Abe, while big men Rex Yabut and Mike Cruz combined for 11 markers. Ivan Devero was on top of the scoring list for Blue Haus Hite with 10.
[B] SCS Heavy Equipment 83[/B] – Galarse 15, Mina 14, Aquino 13, Pantaleon 13, Tamayo 8, Diaz 6, Guiang 4, Echavez 2, Ritual 2, Tobias 2.