JP World takes solo lead in QQ caging

JP World took the solo lead in the 2014 QQ Rent A Car Invitational Basketball League after repulsing the Rollers, 98-94, Wednesday night at the Garapan Basketball Court.

JP World came back from a double-digit deficit in the second quarter and withstood the Rollers’ fourth-period rally to gain the win and improve its record to 5-1, one victory ahead of defending champion Blue Haus (4-1). The Rollers remained winless in two games after squandering a 13-point lead in the second quarter.

The Rollers stretched its 17-12 advantage to double figures, 37-24, with C.J. Morales toying around the defense of JP World, scoring on daredevil drives and 3-point shots. The lefty guard had 9 early points in the second canto, including 7 straight to threaten JP World, which then managed to return to business after holding the Rollers to two field goals and two free throws in the last 5:13 of that period. A buzzer-beating triple from Errol Peredo with two seconds left in the first half put JP World on top by a hair at halftime, 44-43.

JP World’s Juan Camacho, center, is blocked, but still draws body contact from the Rollers’ Prince Factor during the third quarter of their game in the QQ caging last Saturday at the Garapan Basketball Court. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Though it was Peredo’s trey that helped JP World grab the upper hand, it was Jun Estolas’ free throws that brought the team back into the game in the second frame. The veteran guard went on foul-baiting mode in the second canto, scoring 7 of his 10 points from the foul line in that period.

Estolas kept going in the second half, this time hitting four straight field goals at one point in the third period, as he tricked the Rollers defense by going for isolation plays from the top key before driving past his bigger, but slower guards. Estolas also drew help from Freddie Pelisaman, who knocked in 8 early points in the third and 10 in the quarter to lift JP World to a 73-68 advantage.

JP World then tasted its biggest lead at 88-80 before Morales anchored a short 7-0 run to move the Rollers within a point, 87-88, with 2:35 left on the clock. Morales converted a layup and a triple, while Prince Factor had a point-blank shot to keep the Rollers in the game.

Now holding a shaky lead, JP World pressed the panic button and when the game resumed, Rolly Paraiso made an and-1 play to halt the Rollers’ rally. The JP World forward posted up against Mike Arciaga from the right shaded lane, drove toward his right and went for his signature fake-off move. Arciaga bit on the bait and rammed into Paraiso, who still managed to go up and can the shot. Paraiso nailed the bonus charity to give JP World more breathing space, 91-87, going into the final two minutes of the match.

JP World was never threatened from thereon with Pelisamen putting the finishing touches on the win, scoring 5 of the team’s last 7 points. Pelisamen had a game-high 29 markers, while Estolas added 26. Morales led the Rollers with his 29 points.

JP World 98 – Pelisamen 29, J. Estolas 26, Paraiso 14, Camacho 7, Peredo 6, D. Estolas 4, Sison 3, Manalo 2, Sharry 1.

Rollers 94 – Morales 28, Factor 16, Arciaga 13, Fidelino 8, Cayading 7, Ano 5, Nakayama 4, Iglecias 2, Pangelinan 2, Omori 2, Malonzo 2.

Scoring by quarters: 12-17, 44-43, 73-68, 98-94.