San Vicente gains top seeding in MDX playoffs

The San Vicente Saints secured the top seeding in Bracket B of the 2011 MDX Amateur Radio Club Inter-Village Friendship League after thumping As Lito/Chow Queen, 87-70, during the final game of the regular season last Sunday at the Civic Center Basketball Court in Susupe.

San Vicente finished the round-robin elimination with a 6-2 record for the No. 1 spot in Bracket B and top seeding in the playoffs, which will begin this Sunday. The Saints will face Bracket A No. 4 finisher Susupe/Armatech (5-3) at the start of the single-elimination playoffs at 3:30pm (Game 4).

The As Lito-San Vicente tiff was the lone game played last week as three other matches resulted in forfeitures. The Saints went on to cruise to their sixth win behind their jackrabbit start and balance scoring.

The Saints exploded for 34 points in the first period to take a commanding 22-point lead, 34-12. Vince Basa led the Saints’ attack, dropping two triples and scoring eight, while three other teammates made at least six points apiece to bury As Lito in a big hole early.

As Lito tried to move out of trouble in the second period, but only outscored San Vicente by five, 21-16, allowing the Saints to keep their distance at the break, 50-33. New players came in for San Vicente in the second canto and they also contributed to remain on top.

In the second half, L.J. Reyes delivered the killer blows for San Vicente, as he connected on three straight treys to end the third quarter with the Saints protecting a 70-53 advantage. Luizi Reyes helped out L.J. on offense in the third, chipping in six.

Still down by 17, As Lito failed to launch a comeback in the fourth, as it had only Rainier Deleon Guerrero and James Wabinga drilling more than one field goal apiece for the team. In contrast, the Saints continued to draw points from their second stringers to end the regular season on a winning note.

Luizi Reyes top-scored for the Saints with 17, while L.J. nailed 16. Four other San Vicente players tallied in double figures, while the rest combined for 22 markers. Wabinga and Deleon Guerrero paced As Lito with 21 points apiece.

Meanwhile, other pairings in the first round of the playoffs include Chalan Kanoa/Fong’s Bakery (6-2) versus Chalan Kiya/Loving Hand’s (6-2) at 9am (Game 1); As Lito/Chow Queen (5-2) against Garapan/JHEM’s (6-2) at 10:30am (Game 2); and San Antonio/Gene’s Barber (7-1) and San Roque Morales (4-3) at 2pm (Game 3).

Only the Top 4 teams out of the nine squads in each bracket advanced to the playoffs. Then winners in playoff Games 1 and 2 will collide in the first semis game on Feb. 5 at 9am, while victors in Games 3 and 4 will duel in the other Final Four pairing at 10:30am. The one-game finals will also be played on the same day at 3:30pm.

San Vicente Saints 87 – Lu. Reyes 18, L.J. Reyes 16, Torres 12, Iglecias 10, Basa 10, Eubanks 8, Brennan 6, Cruz 4, Lizama 4.

As Lito/Chow Queen 70 – Deleon Guerrero 21, Wabinga 21, Babauta 8, Lansang 6, Sevilla 6, Sacramento 4, Capalad 2.

Scoring by quarters: 34-21, 50-33, 70-53, 87-70.