MJD edges Sonics, 85-83

MJD won its debut game in the open division of the 2015 San Antonio Community Action Network Basketball League after slipping past the Sonics, 85-83, last Saturday night at the San Antonio court.

The Sonics’ Jaymark De Guzman loses possession as his drive is challenge by MJD’s Jack Lizama, left, Jun Estolas, and Jorge De Guzman, right, during the first quarter of their open division game in the San Antonio caging last Saturday at the San Antonio court. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Veterans Freddie Pelisamen and Jorge De Guzman drilled important free throws in the closing seconds to lift MJD to the close victory against the young Sonics crew. Pelisamen made a split to break the 83-deadlock, while De Guzman was fouled when he got the offensive rebound after the former’s miss from the foul line and went 1-for-1 from the stripe to up MJD’s advantage to 2. The Sonics failed to convert on the other end to drop their opener.

Pelisamen top-scored for MJD with his 25 points, registering 11 of the team’s last 12 points to thwart the persistent Sonics in a nip-and-tuck game. De Guzman also finished in twin digits with 10, while Jack Lizama was the third MJD player to hit double figures, adding 11. Five other MJD players contributed at least 5 points each in their debut win.

Jaymark De Guzman paced the Sonics with his 19 markers, while Adrian Palacios chipped in 12. The duo combined for 7 early points and gave the Sonics a 14-5 lead. However, the Sonics could not keep their momentum, while MJD found its rhythm at the halfway mark of the opening period and managed to grabbed the driver’s seat at the end of that quarter, 17-16. MJD stole the lead after spreading the wealth in the first canto, as it had six players making it to the board.

In the next three quarters, the game remained close. The opposing teams were back to square one after the first half, 39-39, and were still in a standoff at the end of the third period, 61-61. In the fourth frame it was a back-and-forth tiff with Errol Peredo, Michael Torregosa, Cecilio Bisana, and Jun Estolas hitting early baskets for MJD and the Sonics also getting points from multiple players to keep up with their foes.

However, the Sonics faltered on the defensive end, allowing Pelisamen to take over the game and win it for MJD. Pelisamen scored MJD’s last three field goals and had three crucial free throws in the homestretch.

Meanwhile, the second game in the open division last weekend was halted by rain with KB Market clinging to a 1-point lead against the Hoopaholics, 39-38, with about two minutes left in the second quarter.

Just like the Sonics, KB Market is bannered by young players that include Matt Duenas, Ivan Devero, and Leo Galarse.

Duenas exploded for 14 points in the first quarter to lift KB Market to a 22-20 edge. The Hoopaholics remained afloat after the first frame behind the 10 points of Kelvin Fitial. In the second period, it was Leo Galarse’s turn to pace KB Market, as he tallied 7 points with his last 3 allowing his team to keep the shaky lead before league organizers suspended play due to rain.

MJD 85 – Pelisamen 25, Lizama 11, De Guzman 10, Torregosa 9, Peredo 9, Bautista 7, Gamboa 5, Estolas 5, Bisana 2.

Sonics 83 – De Guzman 19, Palacios 12, Hernandez 10, Rivera 9, Cadiang 9, G. Flores 8, Sto. Domingo 5, N. Flores 4, Tekopua 3, Bondoc 2, Lim 2.

Scoring by quarters: 17-16, 39-39, 61-61, 85-83.