MAFEA/RNV finally wins, edges SAFSWO/Ebisuya

 MAFEA/RNV gained its first win in the last game in the UFO Inter-Organization Masters Basketball Docomo Pacific Cup 2011 after outclassing SAFSWO/Ebisuya, 68-63, on Tuesday night at the TSL Sports Complex.

MAFEA finished the round-robin competition with a 1-3 record for fourth place in the team standings, while SAFSWO/Ebisuya was last with a dismal 0-4 mark. Despite occupying the last two spots in the masters field, SAFSWO/Ebisuya and MAFEA still made it to the playoffs, joining third placer VisMinda/PIAHI (3-1) and MDX/Armatech (3-1).

Defending champion Cabalen/Wings Travel also had a 3-1 record, but won the tiebreak and the bye in the first round of the playoffs after getting the highest goal average among the three tied teams. Cabalen is now in the semifinals, while the four remaining squad will battle for the three remaining slots.

MAFEA avoided the last seeding in the playoffs after playing steady in the last 2:24 of the game.

The opposing teams were pretty even, as there were several lead changes and neither squad went ahead by double digits. SAFSWO/Ebisuya had the lead for the last time at the 59-58 count, with less than three minutes left on the clock.

Elmer Pineda then canned an undergoal stab and drew a foul to bring MAFEA back in the driver’s seat. He muffed the bonus shot, but SAFSWO/Ebisuya also faltered on its offensive set, paving the way for an Ed Cosino’ fastbreak layup. SAFSWO/Ebisuya missed anew on the other end and MAFEA answered with Joselino Canoy’s jumper that gave his team a 64-59 advantage, 1:10 to go in the match.

SAFSWO/Ebisuya scored four quick points to threaten, 64-65, with Mike Surima making two free throws off an unsportsmanlike foul from Canoy and a layup, 43 seconds left in the game.

Canoy then made up for his infraction with another short jumper and MAFEA sealed the win when Pineda stole the ball from Surima and fed De La Torre at the baseline for a layup. Dela Torre also drew a foul, but muffed the extra charity, keeping MAFEA’s lead to five, 68-63. A desperation trey from Jacob Rio hit nothing but air, foiling SAFSWO/Ebisuya’s bid for a win in the last game in the regular season.

Cosino paced MAFEA with 20 points, while Pineda and Canoy combined for 26. Canoy hit eight of his total points in the fourth quarter, providing MAFEA the needed baskets to edge SAFSWO/Ebisuya.

MAFEA/RNV 68 – Cosino 20, Pineda 14, Canoy 12, Bicera 10, De La Torre 6, Gunrey 4, Sevilla 1.

SAFSWO/Ebisuya 63 – Surima 23, Malicdem 12, Buniag 7, Mateo 5, Echavez 4, Bucalig 4, Conti 4, Rio 2.

Scoring by quarters: 13-10, 19-23, 45-45, 68-63.