TanHoldings vs Mariana Resort in finals

Mariana Resort’s J.R. Lifoifoi, left, is fouled by Best Deal/RNV Construction’s Rudy Barrios during the third quarter of their semis game in the JEM/Mobil caging last Wednesday night at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The stage has been set for the title showdown between TanHoldings and Mariana Resort as they eased their way to the finals of the JEM Company Ltd./Mobil Customer Appreciation Basketball League.
Mariana Resort booked the first finals ticket after pounding Best Deal/RNV Construction last Wednesday, 141-71, while TanHoldings also coasted past McDonald, 96-67, to arrange the championship duel of the two undefeated teams in the league.
Both Mariana Resort and TanHoldings got off to a good start, giving their respective opponents little chances to pull off an upset against the Top 2 seeds in the playoffs.

Marianas Resort dropped 31 points just in the first quarter to take a double-digit lead, 31-16, and kept going in the last three periods, showing no mercy against the depleted crew of Best Deal/RNV. Best Deal/RNV played without some of its key players, led by Ronald Rueda, who scored 34 points in his last game this season as he left the island four days before they dueled Mariana Resort in the semis.

Without Rueda, Andy Mortos single-handedly carried Best Deal/RNV as he scored a game-high 41 points. However, that proved to be not enough against the young guns of Mariana Resort, who drew double figures from seven players, while only Rey Alfonso backed up Mortos with his 13 markers.

Prince Factor led Mariana Resort’s well-oiled offense with his 27 markers, Mel Sakisat chipped in 19, and Frank Lifoifoi and Carlo Prado contributed 17 and 14, respectively. Jun Fidelino, Arthur James, and J.R. Lifoifoi chipped in 13 each for Mariana Resort, which played no let up on offense, peppering the hapless with 13 triples. Mariana Resort was so unforgiving that it finished off Best Deal/RNV by knocking three straight treys in the closing minutes of the match.

In the other semis game, TanHoldings also established a double-digit lead early, 26-14, and never looked back, as it finally ended McDonald’s hopes for a finals appearance. McDonalds, before falling short in its finals bid, booted out two higher-seeded foes to make it to the Final Four.

Douglas Schmidt drilled 9 points in the first quarter to put TanHoldings on top by 12, while the rest of his teammates made their contributions in the succeeding periods to oust McDonalds.

Schmidt finished with a game-high 19 markers, while Bart Demapan added 16, and Elmer Esdrelon and R.J. Nonato registered 14 and 12, respectively. McClain Achas had 16 to pace McDonald’s, which was held to no more than 19 points in the first three periods to fall behind all throughout the match.

Meanwhile, Game 1 of the best-of-three title series between TanHoldings and Mariana Resort will be played tonight.

First Game
Mariana Resort 141— Factor 27, Sakisat 19, F. Lifoifoi 17, Prado 14, Fidelino 13, James 13, J.Lifoifoi 13, Kani 8, Kitani 5, Ermitanio 4.

Best Deal/RNV 71 — Mortos 41, Alfonso 13, Cayanan 7, Nabal 5, Doseo 5, Barrios 2.

Scoring by quarters: 31-16, 70-41, 100-56, 141-71.

Second Game
TanHoldings 96 — Schmidt 19, Demapan 16, Esdrelon 14, Nonato 12, Matsutaro 9, Duenas 9, Quizon 3, Villamena 2.

McDonald’s 67 — Mc. Achas 16, Gaspar 15, Gapor 11, Mi. Achas 8, Macaranas 6, C. Achas 6, Ladra 2, J. Achas 2.

Scoring by quarters: 26-14, 53-32, 71-46, 96-67.