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Silencer nips Vendetta, 85-84
The Silencer eked out an 85-84 victory over Vendetta in the curtain-raiser in the 2nd Ali’i Blue Haus Invitational Basketball League last Saturday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.
Kevin Fitial and Patrick Morales delivered the crucial baskets for the Silencer, which now has an 8-2 record in the 12-team league to remain at the top half of the team standings. Vendetta is still winless in six games.
Fitial scored 8 points in the fourth quarter, which began with the Silencer behind by a deuce, 66-68. The big man drilled three of the squad’s last four field goals, while Morales contributed 7, including a pair of clutch free throws, which gave the Silencer its last 2 markers. Fitial finished with a game-high 38 points, while Morales added 27, stepping up in the absence of Angelo Fernando.
Gino Libuw led Vendetta’s failed attempt to make it to the win column after firing 29 points. He made 12 in the first quarter to lift Vendetta to a 26-19 advantage. James Dela Cruz backed Libuw in the opening canto, chipping in 7.
Libuw then kept going in the second period and found a new ally in Ed Pangelinan, who made two triples and had 8 points. However, Libuw and Pangelinan’s efforts went into waste, as Vendetta failed to contain Fitial and Morales, who combined for 22 of the Silencer’s 26 markers to grab the lead at the break, 45-40.
The seesaw battle continued in the second half with Fitial and Morales still on target and Libuw and Dela Cruz firing for Vendetta. The Silencer’s 1-2 punch eventually prevailed after delivering important baskets in the homestretch.
Silencer 85— Fitial 38, Morales 27, Usi 12, Arreza 4, Estores 4.
Vendetta 84 — Libuw 29, Dela Cruz 17, Pangelinan 12, Tenorio 11, Castro 9, Corpuz 6.
Scoring by quarters: 19-26, 45-50, 66-68, 85-84.
