Close victories for Shirley’s, JP World/Mobil

Blue Haus’ Edwin Santos, center, challenges the defense of Andrew Ashburn, left, and Michael Cabanas during the third quarter of their game in the Emon Lodge caging last Wednesday at the Civic Center Basketball Court. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Shirley’s Coffee Shop needed five extra minutes to thwart Ace Hardware, 67-61, during their game in the 2016 Emon Lodge No. 179 Brotherhood/IT&E Basketball League last Sunday at the Civic Center Basketball Court.

Perry Inos lifted Shirley’s to the overtime win after scoring 5 of the team’s 7 points in the extension. Erick Dela Rosa registered the 2 other markers for Shirley’s in the extra period, while Leo Galarse made the lone point for Ace Hardware, which absorbed its first loss in three games. Shirley’s remained unbeaten after two matches.

Inos finished with a game-high 19 points and hit two crucial triples in the fourth quarter to help Shirley’s send the game in overtime. Dexter Villanueva chipped in 18, while Rommel Usi added 16, and Dela Rosa contributed 13.

Don Brennan paced Ace with his 14 markers, but he was held to only 2 points in the fourth quarter, while Sid Quan contributed 13.

In the other game last Sunday, JP World/Mobil also recorded a close win against 360 Restaurant, 65-63.

Lerio Pagarao and Rolly Paraiso teamed up for JP World/Mobil in the homestretch with the former nailing 5 straight points and the latter scoring the go-ahead basket.

It was a come-from-behind win for JP World/Mobil as it faced a 44-50 deficit entering the final canto. In the fourth frame, Marlon Sison earned 5 early points to spark the fightback and three of his teammates also hit the board before Pagarao and Paraiso hit the clutch baskets to give JP World/Mobil a 3-0 record.

Five JP World/Mobil posted at least 6 points apiece for the team’s balance attack, while 360 leaned heavily on J.R. Agbanlog, who logged 22 points.

Meanwhile, the Emon Lodge caging started its weekday games last Wednesday with GPPC and Blue Haus prevailing in their respective matches.

GPPC routed Armatech, 68-52, for its second win, while Blue Haus topped 360 Restaurant, 73-69.

GPPC set up the 16-point victory as it started dominating the game in the second quarter. GPPC was just clinging to a 14-12 lead at the end of the first canto, but established a twin-digit advantage after the second frame, 33-22, behind the combined 17 points of Randy Mungcal and Alex Ocampo.

Mungcal and Ocampo’s teammates then made their contributions in the second half to keep GPPC’s safe distance, while only James Abuy and Bruce Berline were consistent on offense for Armatech, which dropped to a 0-2 record.