Blue Haus makes division finals

Blue Haus’ Manolo Manalo dribbles out of the defense of GMI Market’s Ben Petersburg during an earlier game in the Open division of the San Antonio caging at the San Antonio court. Manalo was one of the double-figure scorers in Blue Haus’ 96-82 win in the semis against Cholos. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Blue Haus eased its way into the west division finals of the 2015 San Antonio Community Action Network Basketball League following a 96-82 win against Cholos 8th Division last Monday at the San Antonio court.

Blue Haus got off to a strong start and was never threatened to nail the first finals berth in the division. GMJ/IKKI and Pacific Islands Club will contest the second and last finals ticket as they are likely to resume their rained-halted game next week after the league’s Christmas break.

It will be a Merry Christmas for Blue Haus as it is just one win away from clinching the championship. The team moved closer to the Promised Land, as it was on target right at the get-go, scoring 31 points against the 21 of Cholos.

Marlon De Dios led Blue Haus’ early attack, as he tallied 8 points. Four of his teammates added at least two field goals apiece to give Blue Haus the double-digit lead after the first period.

In the second canto, Blue Haus was still on fire, scoring 29 more points to widen the gap at halftime, 60-39. The trio of De Dios, Angelo Fernando, and Brendon Talania sustained Blue Haus’ strong start in the next frame, as they combined for 21 points and outgunned the entire Cholos crew.

Blue Haus then kept its safe distance in the third period despite being outscored by Cholos for the first time, 21-19. Again, De Dios, Fernando, and Talania managed to contribute to Blue Haus’ cause in the third quarter and drew some support from Manolo Manalo and Bart Demapan to protect their double-digit advantage.

Still up by 19, Blue Haus was not pressed to pour in points in the fourth quarter where Cholos tried, but failed to overhaul the deficit, as only Jun Tabora and Rocyl Ritual hit baskets in streaks.

De Dios paced Blue Haus with his 21 points. Five other Blue Haus players finished in twin digits with Fernando, Talania, Demapan, Manalo, and Elmer Esdrelon combining for 67 points. Tabora led Cholos with his 18 markers, while Ritual and Steve Rasa were the only two other double-figure scores for the team, chipping in 16 and 10, respectively.

Meanwhile, VM Production took the first semis berth in the masters division after winning via forfeit against the second-seeded Blue Haus, whose players left the playing venue a few minutes before the match was scheduled to start, according to league officials.

Blue Haus 96 – De Dios 21, Fernando 18, Talania 15, Demapan 12, Esdrelon 11, Manalo 11, Moises 6.

Cholos 8th Division 82 – Tabora 18, Ritual 16, Rasa 10, Norita 7, Laguimdam 7, Hernandez 6, Capalad 6, Lizama 4, Lerio 2.

Scoring by quarters: 31-21, 60-39, 79-60, 96-82.