Mariana Resort stays alive

Mariana Resort’s Prince Factor takes off for an uncontested shot as TanHoldings’ Elmer Esdrelon looks on during the third quarter of Game 2 of their title series in the JEM/Mobil caging lat Monday night at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Mariana Resort forced a do-or-die game against TanHoldings following an 89-80 victory in Game 2 of their finals showdown in the JEM Company Ltd./Mobil Customer Appreciation Basketball League last Monday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

After a monumental collapse in the series opener last Friday, Mariana Resort showed poised in Game 2 to tie the short series, which will be decided tonight as the opposing teams collide in the rubber match at 7pm.

Mariana Resort equalized as it withstood TanHoldings’ repeated comeback bids with the last one in the final two minutes and change of Game 2. TanHoldings moved within four, 81-77, with 2:21 left, but Mariana Resort countered with two straight field goals for more cushion, 85-77, 1:37 left on the clock.

Sandrew Kani and Carlo Prado gave Mariana Resort the crucial baskets with the former recovering from a fumble and eluding TanHoldings’ Elmer Edrelon for a banked shot. Kani then made a big defensive stop on the other end, as he held his ground against a driving Esdrelon, who lost the ball after bumping into the Mariana Resort player. Then with the 24-second shot clock ticking, Prado went for an isolation play against the taller R.J. Nonato at the left corner and the former got away with a floater after the latter reached in for a steal and failed.

TanHoldings sued for time after that basket, hoping to repeat its success in Game 1, however it muffed a couple of shots in the end and was held to a field goal and one free throw, while Mariana Resort drilled 4 more points for good measure.

TanHoldings fell short in Game 2 as it clearly missed the production of Douglas Schmidt, who played through pain (sprain leg) in the second half. Schmidt, who exploded for 44 points in their come-from-behind 97-74 victory in Game 1, scored 14 in the first half, but was held to a field goal and two free throws in the entire second, as limped his way to the court. He took off so slow in a fastbreak play for his lone field goal in the second half and saw limited minutes in the third quarter where Mariana Resort opened a 68-57 lead, with less than a minute left in that canto.

TanHoldings then cut the deficit to 5, 65-70, but Mariana Resort countered with a short 7-0 run off a timeout to bring the lead back to double digits, 77-65, 5:35 left in the game. Mel Sakikat had 5 points in that rally, while Kami scored the other basket off the bench.

Down, but definitely not out, TanHoldings threatened Mariana Resort with another comeback, as the former had a 12-4 scoring surge, 7 of which came from Bart Demapan. However, that was it for TanHoldings, as Mariana Resort regrouped and this time avoided a meltdown to keep its title hopes alive.

Sakisat paced Mariana Resort with his 27 points, while Prince Factor chipped in 19. Demapan had 33 on a losing effort.

Meanwhile, the seven suspended players are back in tonight’s deciding Game 3. Lerio Pagarao, Dindo Pablo, Jarett Matsutaro, and Paul Quizon will suit up anew for TanHoldings, while J.R. Lifoifoi, Masaki Kitani, and Jun Fidelino returns for Mariana Resort.

Third Place Game
McDonald’s 83 — Mi. Achas 36, Macaranas 10, Mc. Achas 10, Gaspar 8, J. Achas 7, Ladra 7, C. Achas 5.

Best Deal/RNV 62 — Mortos 24, Odicta 13, Cayanan 8, J. Rueda 7, Naval 6, Alfonso 4.

Scoring by quarters: 23-14, 46-24, 68-39, 83-62.

Game 2
Marianas Resort 89 — Sakisat 27, Factor 19, F. Lifoifoi 15, Kani 12, Prado 10, Arthur 4, Ermitanio 2.

TanHoldings 80 — Demapan 33, Schmidt 18, Nonato 14, Esdrelon 11, Duenas 4, Villamena 2.

Scoring by quarters: 20-20, 47-40, 68-59, 89-80.