Streaking Silencer nips Spigen

The Silencer’s Angelo Fernando, left, drives and draws a foul on Spigen’s Lerio Pagarao during the third quarter of their game in the IT&E-sponsored Ali’i Blue Haus caging last Sunday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The Silencer rolled to its seventh straight win after nosing out Spigen, 78-77, during the first game in the 2nd Ali’i Blue Haus Invitational Basketball League last Sunday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

Angelo Fernando scored 14 points in the fourth quarter, including four clutch free throws to help Silencer steal the victory from Spigen. With the close win, the Silencer now has a 7-1 record to move on top of the team standings and dislodge erstwhile leader Tropang Ridhors, which the former also defeated last Saturday, 94-77.

Against Spigen, the Silencer, which dropped its opener (versus Green Minded) last month before making a run, nearly had its streak snapped when the former managed to lead by as much as 13 in the third quarter, 51-38.

A 12-3 run put the Silencer back into the game, 50-54, thanks to the combined 10 points of Kelvin Fitial and Fernando. A triple from Isagani Cortes then gave Spigen more breathing room en route to an 8-point advantage at the end of the third period, 60-52.

However, Spigen eventually lost the driver’s seat in the fourth canto as it failed to contain Fernando. Beside the lefty wingman, the Silencer also got a lift from Mike Esteros, who scored 6 early points in the final frame before Fernando took over in the homestretch.

Fernando finished with a game-high 25 points, while Fitial chipped in 16. Lerio Pagarao paced Spigen with his 20 markers, but was scoreless during the team’s fourth-quarter meltdown.

Meanwhile, Fitial and Fernando also joined forces in powering the Silencer past Ridhors last Saturday.

Fitial sizzled for 28 points, while Fernando contributed 20 to hand Ridhors its first loss in six games.

After a close first quarter, which saw the Silencer holding a 24-20 advantage, the eventual leading team started asserting its might over Ridhors in the ensuing periods to widen the gap by the end of the third, 69-52.

It was cruise control for the Silencer from thereon, as Ridhors struggled a bit offensively. Ken Viray, who averaged 32.5 points in Ridhors’ last two wins, was held to 15.

Saturday Game
Silencer 94—Fitial 28, Fernando 20, Mico Usi 11, Perez 10, Estores 10, Patrick Morales 9, Culala 7, Arreza 4.
Ridhors 77—Guiab 18, Morales 16, Viray 15, Surima 15, Dayrit 6, De Jesus 5, Claveria 2.
Scoring by quarters: 24-23, 46-38, 69-52, 94-77.

Sunday Game
Silencer 78— Fernando 25, Fitial 16, Morales 12, Usi 8, Estores 6, Perez 4, Culala 4, Sevilla 2.
Spigen 77 — Pagarao 21, Tobias 20, Berline 13, Cortes 8, Umali 7, Marilla 4, Flores 2, Tibayan 2.
Scoring by quarters: 12-20, 34-39, 52-60, 78-77.