Two in a row for BBB; Gold Ballers wins

A Batang Bear Brand player, second left, drives against Vendetta defenders during their opening game in the Ali’i Blue Haus caging at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Batang Bear Brand gained a share of the lead, while Gold Ballers got its first win in the 2nd Ali’i Blue Haus Invitational Basketball League last Sunday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

BBB defeated Spigen, 81-73, to improve to a 2-0 record and join Tropang Ridhors at the top of the team standings in the 12-squad field.

After a lackluster start, BBB picked up its scoring in the last three quarters to make it two in a row. BBB was held to three field goals in the first period to face a manageable 8-9 deficit. Jeff Che, Joseph Achas, Peter Ariar, and Hal Spott, who scored 7 in the opening canto, joined forces in the second period to turn the tables on Spigen, 30-26.

Spott and Che continued to contribute to BBB’s cause in the second half and this time they drew support from Ronnel Gamboa, who tallied all his 14 markers in the final two quarters of the game. Spott ended up top-scoring for BBB with his 18 points, while Che added 17. Achas was the fourth BBB player to break into double figures with his 13 markers.

Spigen got 17 from Lerio Pagarao, while Adrian Flores chipped in 13, and Ferdie Tobias and Bruce Berline registered 11 apiece.

In other results, Gold Ballers leaned on its young guns to down the Green Archers, 94-87.

Raymond Velasco, Price Factor, and Dan Mateo combined for about half of Gold Ballers’ production to hand their team its first victory. Velasco scored 19 points, Factor recorded 16, while Mateo fired 14. Arvin Avilla completed Gold Ballers’ balance scoring, adding 11, while Kevin Leomo and Brian Manabat posted 9 and 6, respectively.

Frank Ferrer was at the forefront of the Green Archers’ offense anew after sizzling for 29 points, but just like in their debut loss to Tropang Ridhors, the shooting guard did not get enough support from his teammates. Boyet Arreza finished with 13 points, but his baskets were scattered, while Bart Demapan had a quiet 10 markers.

First Game
Gold Ballers 94— Velasco 19, Factor 16, Mateo 14, Cortez 12, Avilla 11, Leomo 9, Manabat 6, Usi 3.
Green Archers 87 — Ferrer 29, Arreza 13, Demapan 10, Rotap 8, Enriquez 8, Tolentino 7, Danipog 4, Pestillos 1.

Third Game
Batang Bear Brand 81 — Spott 19, Che 17, Gamboa 14, Achas 13, Esdrelon 6, Ariar 4, Flores 4.
Spigen 73 — Pagarao 17, Flores 13, Tobias 11, Berline 11, Cortes 6, Umali 5, Marilla 2, Sanciangco 2.
Scoring by quarters: 8-9, 30-26, 51-44, 81-73.