Armatech coasts past 5-Star Construction

Armatech’s Mark Asuhan is hounded by 5-Star Construction defenders during the second quarter of their game in the San Antonio summer caging last Friday at the San Antonio court. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Armatech won its debut in the 2017 San Antonio Summer Basketball League after dominating 5-Star Construction, 67-50, last Friday at the San Antonio court.

Armatech led from start to finish and was never threatened to break into the win column in the 14-team field in its first try.

Jerome Malasarte and Mark Asuhan teamed up in putting Armatech on top of the game right in the opening canto as the former scored 9 points and the latter chipped in 6. The duo’s total points were enough to outgun the entire 5-Star crew and gave Armatech an early double-digit advantage, 19-8.

5-Star picked up its scoring a bit in the second quarter, however Armatech kept its safe distance, as Michael Babauta took over from Asuhan and Malasarte, making 8 points in that period.

Babauta then remained on target in the second half to power Armatech to its debut win. He recorded a game-high 20 points, while Malasarte and Asuhan also finished in twin digits wit 17 and 10, respectively.

Meanwhile, in the first game, SSFM eased past Kagman, 99-87

SSFM had a jackrabbit start, exploding for 31 points for a promising 19-point lead at the end of the first period. Kagman fell behind early as it had no player scoring more than one field goal in the opening canto, while SSFM had many players converting multiple baskets.

After a slow start, Kagman found its rhythm and scored 29 points in the second quarter. However, it failed to neutralize SSFM’s gunners and Kagman ended up still down by double-figures by halftime, 44-55.

SSFM went on to protect its safe lead in the entire second half despite another rally from Kagman in the fourth and last quarter.

Jack Lizama led three other SSFM players in scoring twin digits with his 17 points. Dan Barcinas chipped in 16, while Lester Babauta and Andrew Ashburn tallied 15 and 11, respectively. Trevor Ogumoro had 19 points in another losing effort for Kagman.

First Game
SSFM 99 — Lizama 17, Barcinas 16, Babauta 15, Ashburn 11, Palino 9, Echavez 6, Kapileo 6, Raho 6, Daniel 6, Santos 6.
Kagman 87 — Ogumoro 19, R. Babauta 13, Pangelinan 13, Martin 12, B. Babauta 9, Limes 5, Faisao 4, Camacho 2, Palacios 2.
Scoring by quarters: 31-12, 55-41, 75-57, 99-87.

Second Game
Armatech 67 — Babauta 20, J. Malasarte 17, Asuhan 10, Chavez 8, B. Malasarte 4, Zapata 4, Tolosa 2.
5-Star 50 — Castillo 19, Ponce 12, Banal 9, Pino 8, Ocampo 2.
Scoring by quarters: 19-8, 36-23, 50-34, 67-50.