KFC, Marianas Water nab wins in DLX caging

KFC routed host team Gualo Rai, 81-54, early this past Friday evening, while Marianas Water fended off Docomo Pacific, 57-51, in the late night pairing as the 2012 Domino Lux DL/JOS Inter-color Basketball League continued over the weekend at the Gualo Rai Basketball Court.

A late 3-pointer gave KFC an early 15-13 lead in the opening 10 minutes of Friday’s first matchup.

KFC then pushed up the pace and cashed in on some crafty line changes, surging ahead, 39-25, at halftime. Seven players put a hand on the action.

Nelson Samson led Gualo Rai with a dozen markers in the first two quarters, while eight points apiece from Ralph Francisco and Herbert Manahan paced KFC’s variety of buckets over on the other side.

KFC went on to contain Gualo Rai to just 11 points in the third quarter and pulled away, 53-36, heading into the final period.

Francisco and Jeff Durant both tallied six points in the stand for KFC.

KFC then buried three bombs from behind the arc in the fourth quarter as they cruised to an easy win.

Francisco led three teammates in double figures with 15, while Gualo Rai’s Samson topped the field overall with 16.

In the second tiff, Marianas Water spread the ball around well in the first quarter and assumed an early 14-10 margin.

They then stretched it out to a 30-22 gap at intermission largely from a pair of 3-balls by Amor Casabuena.

Marianas Water held strong after the break and remained a few steps ahead, 45-36, with 10 minutes left in regulation. Six different players contributed on the on the offensive end.

Although Docomo stepped up its game in the second half and threatened a late comeback during the pay off period, Marianas Water’s Dennis Pacheco figured it out in the end.

Pacheco’s eight points at crunch time helped secure the win. He finished with 16 to lead all scorers, while Docomo’s Olan Tengco managed 11 on the shirt end.

KFC 81 – Francisco15, Durant 12, Maranan 10, Lee 10, J. Deleon Guerrero 9, Tinio 6, Salas 5, R. Deleon Guerrero 4, Wallaby 3, Omnes 3, Mendiola 2.

Gualo Rai 54 – Samson 16, Jose 11, Dayrit 9, Manalon 7, Mallari 4, Galzote 4, Navarro 3.

Scoring by quarters: 15-13, 39-25, 53-36, 81-54.

Marianas Water 57 – Pacheco 16, Olivos 12, Casabuena 9, Galulu 8, Devero 6, Surivan 2, Capalad 2.

Docom Pacific 51 – Tengco 11, Gomez 9, Lizardo 6, Usi 6, Cultura 3, Enriques 3, Omampo 3, Sancangco 3, Tudela 3, Bautista 2, Quinto 1.

Scoring by quarters: 14-10, 30-22, 45-36, 57-51.