SSFM cruises past Arianne Fish Mart

SSFM’s Andrew Palino, left, attempts a shot against Arianne Fish Mart’s Dexter Guiang during the third quarter of their game in the San Antonio summer caging last Friday at the San Antonio court. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

SSFM registered a double-digit winning margin against Arianne Fish Mart, 102-89, during the second game in the 2017 San Antonio Summer Basketball League last Friday night at the San Antonio court.

SSFM caught fire in the second half and withstood Arianne Fish Mart’s rally in the third period en route to the 13-point victory.

Four SSFM players combined for more than half of the team’s output to beat Arianne Fish Mart with shooting forward Andrew Ashburn leading the way with his 29 points. Gino Libuw chipped in 20, while Dan Barcinas and Andrew Palino contributed 14 and 13, respectively.

From a 51-42 halftime lead, SSFM threatened to breakaway, taking a 65-49 edge at the halfway mark of the third canto. Libuw, Barcinas, and Ashburn teamed up for 10 in SSFM’s 14-7 scoring surge, while Gio Daniel added 4 off the bench to give their squad the twin-digit advantage.

However, SSFM’s lead went down to as low as 7, 59-65, as it starters took a breather, allowing Arianne to make some headway behind the 5 points of Ken Viray and Elgene Mangali’s 4.

Sensing trouble, SSFM brought back its key players into the game and an and-1 play from Dan Barcinas halted Arianne’s rally and helped SSFM regain its double-digit lead, 68-58. SSFM was never threatened after that as it even registered its biggest lead in the match at the end of the third canto, 80-68.

Arianne Fish Mart failed to continue its uphill climb as only Viray and Mangali consistently hit baskets for the squad and when their other teammates found their targets, it was already too late, as SSFM had enough cushion and time on its side.

Mangali scored a team-high 29 points on a losing effort for Arianne, which drew 28 markers from Viray.

In the first game, Marianas Variety led from start to finish to ease past Armatech, 87-63.

Melvin Villarin paced Marianas Variety with his 18 points and got enough help from his teammates. Ivan Devero contributed 16, Prince Factor tallied 14, and Kelvin Fitial logged 13. Salam Younis and Alex Standish combined for 13 more points for the winning squad.

First Game
Marianas Variety 88 – Villarin 19, Devero 16, P. Factor 14, Fitial 13, Younis 8, Standish 6, Malonzo 5, Pineda 2
Armatech 63 – J. Malasarte 12, Manansala 11, B. Malasarte 11, Asuhan 8, Chavez 7, Samson 6, Guevarra 4, Tolosa 4, Umali 3.
Scoring by quarters: 15-12, 39-23, 60-43, 88-63.

Second Game
SSFM 102 – Ashburn 29, Libuw 20, Barcinas 14, Palino 13, Babauta 9, Tenepere 5, Hammond 4, Daniel 4.
Arianne Fish Mart 89 – Mangali 29, Viray 28, Guiang 14, Villacrusis 14, Paraiso 2.
Scoring by quarters: 24-22, 51-42, 80-62, 102-89.