Stephen’s Pawnshop, Ali’i/Blue Haus win

Ali’i/Blue Haus’ Elmer Esdrelon, right, sneaks in and tries to steal the ball from SSFM’s Andrew Ashburn during the second quarter of their game in the San Antonio caging last Saturday at the San Antonio court. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Ali’i/Blue Haus and Stephen’s Pawnshop earned double-digit winning margins in their respective games in the 2017 San Antonio Summer Basketball League last Saturday at the San Antonio court.

Ali’i/Blue Haus bounced back from a slow start to overhaul a 14-point deficit and steal the victory from SSFM in the nightcap, 90-80, while Stephen Pawnshop had a second-quarter assault for a 91-73 win against Marianas Variety in the curtain-raiser.

Stephen’s Pawnshop was just ahead by a hair at the end of the first period, 16-15, when it stepped on the gas in the second to build a 48-32 halftime advantage. Sean Rabasto led Stephen’s Pawnshop’s surge in the second frame, as he scored 14 of his 21 points in that canto. James Abuy contributed two triples in that run, while three other Stephen’s Pawnshop players added at least two field goals apiece.

It was cruise control from thereon for Stephen’s Pawnshop, as Ernest Duenas, Jack Aranda, and Gerald Flores took over in the second half en route to the team’s 18-point victory.

Flores, Rabasto, and Duenas combined for 64 points for Stephen’s Pawnshop, while Aranda and Abuy also finished in twin digits with 15 and 12, respectively.

In the second game, Ali’i/Blue Haus once stared a 12-26 deficit midway in the first quarter, but managed to regroup late in that period and took control of the game in the second to remain undefeated in three matches.

SSFM caught Ali’i/Blue Haus flatfooted early in the game as Andrew Ashburn found his target in the opening canto, scoring 14 points in that period, including 12 straight. SSFM eventually lost its double-digit lead at the end of the first quarter, 26-21, while Ali’i/Blue Haus successfully grabbed the driver’s seat by the halftime break, 47-42.

Ali’i/Blue Haus leaned on its balance scoring to recover and survive the hot shooting of Ashburn. Five Ali’i/Blue Haus players broke into double figures, while three more added at least 8 points each. Elmer Esdrelon paced Ali’i/Blue Haus with his 17 points.

Ashburn had a game-high 29 markers, while only Dan Barcinas backed him up, chipping in 20. Jack Lizama had 12 markers, but was scoreless in the second and third periods.

First Game
Stephen’s Pawnshop 91— Flores 22, Rabasto 21, Duenas 21, Aranda 15, Abuy 12.

Marianas Variety 73 — P. Factor 18, Fitial 18, Villarin 11, A. Factor 10, Devero 7, Pineda 4, Sablan 2, Supetran 2.

Scoring by quarters: 16-15, 48-32, 73-54, 91-73.

Second Game
Ali’i/Blue Haus 90 — Edrelon 17, Peredo 12, De Dios 13, Guiab 12, Demapan 10, Barbo 9, Pagarao 8, Talania 8, Garcia 2.

SSFM 80 — Ashburn 29, Barcinas 20, Lizama 11, Palino 8, Libuw 4, Hammond 4, Santos 2, Kapileo 2.

Scoring by quarters: 21-26, 47-42, 69-58, 90-80.