Wanted Sponsor, Ashley’s advance

  Wanted Sponsor and Ashley’s completed the quarterfinal cast in the 2012 Blue Haus Invitational League after dominating separates foes last Thursday night at the Garapan Basketball Court.

Ashley’s topped the R-Rebels in the curtain raiser, 68-59, while Wanted Sponsor prevailed in the late night match against Cargo Express, 87-66.

The second game was delayed for about 20 minutes due to rain and the long wait took its toll on both teams, as they struggled a bit on offense with Wanted Sponsor leading by only a hair, 19-18.

However, Wanted Sponsor gained full control of the playoff match in the second canto, as after a 23-22 advantage, it launched a 12-1 run to open a 12-point lead, 35-23. Cargo Express had its worst offensive showing in the second period, scoring only 8 points, allowing Wanted Sponsor to take a 39-26 halftime lead.

The deficit was then sliced to 9 at the end of the third, 50-59, with Brandon Talania and Pete Lizama teaming up for 16 of Cargo Express’ 24 points.

However, Wanted Sponsor regrouped in the fourth quarter with a balance offense to pull away anew. Nine players scored for Wanted Sponsor in the fourth canto, as its much deeper bench created headaches for Cargo Express, which had only Talania and Lizama making more than one field goal in the final frame. Only three players lit up the scoreboard for Cargo Express in the fourth quarter with Dennis Morales adding 4 points off two charities and a late field goal.

Kae Bernardo top-scored for Wanted Sponsor with his 20 points, while three other also broke into double figures, and five more combined for 31 markers. Talania finished with 22, while Lizama and Morales contributed 16 and 10, respectively, and the rest of Cargo Express players combined for only 16 points.

With the win, Wanted Sponsor faces Group A top seed QQ Rent A Car in tomorrow night’s quarterfinals match at 6pm. Ashley’s also plays tomorrow at 8pm against Group B top-ranked Loving Hands Day Care.

Ashley’s and the R-Rebels also had a slow start in their playoff match with the former ahead by only 1 point, 15-14, before taking a 31-21 lead at the break after holding the latter to 7 points in the second canto.

The R-Rebels had only three field goals in the second period, courtesy of Syl Teregeyo’s two two-pointers and one basket from Fred Litulumar. Roy Norita added one charity in the R-Rebels’ poor offensive showing.

Ashley’s retained the lead in the second half as Jack Lizama stepped up after scoring only one field goal in the second canto. The Ashley’s big man had 15 markers in the second half, making 7 in the third to keep his team in front, 49-43, and added 8 more in the fourth. He finished with a game-high 25 points.

First Game

Ashley’s 68 – Lizama 25, Mendoza 11, Norita 8, Abuel 7, Usi 6, Mungcal 5, Cortez 4, Inos 2.

R-Rebel 59 – Teregeyo 12, Lisua 11, Ogumoro 10, Fitial 8, Litulimar 6, Camacho 5, Ogarto 2.

Scoring by quarters: 15-14, 31-21, 49-43, 68-59.

Second Game

Wanted Sponsor 87 – Bernardo 20, Capalad 14, Basila 11, Rollon 10, Pantaleon 8, Cadag 8, Diyco 7, Yabut 5, Sablan 2.

Cargo Express 66 – Talania 22, Lizama 16, Morales 10, Berline 7, Francisco 5, Lavarias 4.

Scoring by quarters: 19-18, 39-26, 59-50, 87-66.

By Roselyn Monroyo
Reporter