Arianne vs SSFM in finals

SSFM’s Jun Pantaleon, center, drives against Cuadro PS’ Sid Quan, left, and Jerome Directo during the closing minutes of their semis game in the San Antonio summer caging last Wednesday night at the San Antonio court. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Arianne Fish Mart and SSFM arranged their winner-take-all finale in the 2017 San Antonio Summer Basketball League after earning contrasting victories last Wednesday night at the San Antonio court.
Arianne booked the first finals ticket after edging Ali’i Blue Haus at the continuation of their semis duel, 74-67, while SSFM took the last seat to the title showdown after dominating Cuadro PS, 103-79.

Only the remaining 2:53 of the first semis match between Ali’i Blue Haus and Arianne was played last Wednesday with the former hanging on to a 65-63 lead. The game first took place last Monday, but was rained out. It resumed with Arianne’s Elgene Mangali trooping to the foul line for a pair of free throws, but he split his charities, leaving Ali’i Blue Haus with a shaky 1-point lead.

However, Ali’i Blue Haus eventually lost the driver’s seat as it was held to one field goal in the continuation, while Arianne hit two and sealed the deal from the stripe, drilling four more free throws after Mangali’s split. Paul Almario had a triple and one free throw, while Mangali went 2-for-2, and Chris Lilles contributed one. Dexter Guiang knocked in the other field goal for Arianne, while Jeff Garcia scored the only basket for Ali’i Blue Haus last Wednesday.

Arianne played steadier in the homestretch to foil Ali’i Blue Haus’ comeback bid. Ali’i Blue Haus fell behind by double figures at halftime, 24-37, before cutting the deficit to 7, 44-51, going into the final quarter. Lerio Pagarao led the Ali’i Blue Haus fightback in the third period after scoring the team’s first 8 points in that canto.

Ali’i Blue Haus kept going in the fourth with Elmer Esdrelon, Darwin Barbo, and Pagarao teaming up and the squad went on to grab the lead after the former’s basket, 65-63. Mangali tried to regain the upper hand quickly, but was fouled. However, his two charities had to wait for two days, as rain poured and organizers were forced to suspend the match.

Mangali made his first charity and missed the second when the game resumed and his team went on to reclaim the upper hand and take the win to advance to the finals against SSFM.

SSFM sealed its spot in the title game right in the opening quarter, as it pulled away, 28-11. Jack Lizama reported back for duty for SSFM and helped Andrew Palino, Andrew Ashburn, and Dan Barcinas in giving their team a good start.

Lester Babauta joined the surge in the second quarter after burying four straight triples and SSFM continued its demolition of the hapless Cuadro PS in the second half for the easy win.

Ashburn paced SSFM with his 20 points, while Barcinas and Babauta chipped in 18, and Palino and Lizana added 17 and 13, respectively.

The date of the SSFM-Arianne title match will be announced next week.

First Game
Arianne 74 – Mangali 17, Sanguyo 17, Viray 11, Almario 10, Lilles 6, Mungcal 4, Guiang 3, Paraiso 3, Sison 3.

Ali’i Blue Haus 67 – Barbo 13, Pagarao 12, Esdrelon 10, Talania 9, Demapan 7, Peredo 3, Tumaquip 3, Guiab 2, Berline 2, Fernando 2, De Dios 2, Garcia 2.

Scoring by quarters: 13-12, 37-24, 51-44, 74-67.

Second Game
SSFM 103 – Ashburn 20, Barcinas 18, Babauta 18, Palino 17, Lizama 13, Galarse 9, Echavez 2, Pantaleon 2, Libuw 2, Santos 2.

Cuadro PS 79 – Ferrer 23, Estolas 16, Gunnacao 12, Quan 10, Velasco 7, Guntar 4, Directo 4, Rabauliman 3.

Scoring by quarters: 28-11, 46-32, 75-49, 102-79.