Back-to-back for Armatech

Armatech’s guns were blazing in its two straight games in the 2015 Graphics Invitational Masters Basketball League, as it routed its opponents.

Armatech’s Bong Malasarte fakes off the defense of Boomers’ Bobby Dela Cruz, left, while two other Boomers defenders look on during the second quarter of their game in the 2015 Graphics Invitational Masters Basketball League last Monday night at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Armatech was first pitted against Bammy’s Restaurant and coasted to a 106-85 win last Saturday night at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium, while last Monday the former also waltzed past Boomers, 95-75.

With the back-to-back victories, Armatech moved up to solo second place in the team standings behind the unbeaten Blue Haus (4-0), while Boomers remained winless in three games and Bammy’s fell to a 1-2 slate.

Bammy’s failed to make a follow-up of its 82-76 win over KB Hite as it did not capitalize on a depleted Armatech crew right in the first quarter. Armatech had only six players available at the beginning of the game, but shooters James Abuy and Bernard Montano found their targets early to give the team a good start, while Bammy’s had a lackluster offense.

Armatech was already ahead by double digits when some of its players arrived, including Ferdie Tobias, who provided the squad more scoring options. He had 5 quick points late in the first period, which ended with Armatech way ahead, 34-10.

Bammy’s faced a big deficit after the opening canto, as it had no player hitting more than a field goal in the first 10 minutes of play. It never recovered, as the trio of Montano, Abuy, and Tobias kept torching the hoops in the remaining three periods.

The three Armatech players combined for 72 points, just 13 short of the output of the entire Bammy’s crew. Tobias had a game-high 30 points, while Abuy and Montano chipped in 24 and 18, respectively.

The same three players led Armatech’s rout of Boomer with Tobias tallying 25, Montano adding 19, and Abuy logging 17.

The trio’s consistent shooting foiled Boomers’ comeback bid, as Armatech saw its once 14-point lead early in the second half, 33-19, trimmed down to 3 at the break, 47-44. Mico Usi kept Boomers in the match in the first half after drilling 13 of his 22 points in the second quarter.

However, that was the closest that Boomers could get, as Armatech turned on the heat in the third, holding the former scoreless in the first four minutes and change of that period. The Boomers’ drought ended at the 5:26 mark when Art Salazar banked a shot, however the damage had already been done, as Armetch went on a pivotal 21-2 run to establish its biggest lead, 68-46.

It was cruise control from thereon for Armatech, as Bammy’s continued firing blanks. Bammy’s was so off offensively in the second half that midway in the final canto it missed at least seven consecutive shots in the paint and muffed the last four attempts from downtown in the closing seconds of the match.

SATURDAY
Armatech 106 – Tobias 30, Abuy 24, Montano 18, Tolentino 12, Gatdula 6, Poquiz 6, Malasarte 2, Manalili 2.

Bammy’s 85 – Ocampo 20, J. Tabora 14, Alipio 11, Catalla 10, Zapata 9, De Guzman 7, Sampang 6, Enriquez 3.

Scoring by quarters: 34-10, 58-31, 78-62, 106-85.

MONDAY
Armatech 95 – Tobias 25, Montano 19, Abuy 17, Malasarte 9, Poquiz 8, Manalili 8, Bartolo 6.

Boomers 75 – Usi 22, Pablo 18, Salazar 10, Joson 7, Dela Cruz 6, Echavez 4, Culala 4, Buniag 2, Anasan 2.

Scoring by quarters: 32-19, 47-44, 72-56, 95-75.