Toka sweeps JP World in QQ finals

Toka’s Dan Barcinas pulls up for a running jumper against JP World’s Errol Peredo during the third quarter of the Game 2 of their best-of-three title series in the QQ caging last Friday night at the Garapan Basketball Court. Toka won, 100-90, to sweep JP World. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Toka picked up where it left off, winning Game 2 of its best-of-three finals series against JP World, 100-90, to clinch the championship in the 2014 QQ Rent A Car Invitational Basketball League last Friday night at the Garapan Basketball Court.

Toka took control of the series-clinching Game 2 in the second quarter and withstood JP World’s repeated rally attempts in the second half to end the best-of-three finals showdown. The newly crowned champion showed the same poise in its 107-92 victory in Game 1.

Six Toka players finished in twin digits, as the team reached the century mark anew with its spread-out offense. Jason Lampkin, who was a non-factor in Game 1 with his 3 points, top-scored for Toka in Game 2, firing 19 points, including successive baskets in the fourth quarter that gave his team more cushion after JP World moved within three at the end of the third, 68-71.

After threatening Toka, JP World started the fourth canto with possession and had a chance to slice the deficit to 1, but Jorge De Guzman missed on his drive. Toka collared the rebound and Dan Barcinas made it a 5-point game with his layup. Barcinas’ basket started Toka’s 10-2 scoring run in the first three minutes of the final canto, while Lampkin earned the last 4 baskets off layups to bring the team’s lead back to twin digits, 81-70.

Freddie Pelisamen scored JP World’ lone field in the first three minutes of the fourth frame, but his squad refused to give up, going for a 12-6 exchange to bring Toka’s lead to five, 82-87, entering the last three and a half minutes of Game 2.

A crucial corner triple from Dan Barcinas off a Toka timeout and with the 24-second shot clock ticking gave the team more distance and coach Elias Rangamar’s wards sealed the championship with a 7-0 run in the next one minute. After Barcinas’ trey and Larry Sharry countered with a layup, Marvin Rabauliman escaped with a fastbreak basket, while Preston Basa hit a triple and a floater for a 97-84 advantage, 1:23 left in the match. JP World tried to get quick baskets and succeeded, but did not have enough time to overhaul Toka’ double-digit lead.

JP World played catch up since the second quarter after losing a 7-point cushion in the first period. Pelisamen, who registered only 11 points in Game 1, showed up early in Game 2, knocking in 9 early points to lift JP World to a 12-5 advantage.

Toka then recovered at the halfway mark of the first canto with Lampkin scoring 4 of the team’s final 5 points in that period which ended in a deadlock, 22-all. Toka kept its momentum in the second quarter, leaning on Jack Lizama’s short jumper to lead by as much as 12, 47-35. Toka was just ahead by 2, 33-31, when Lizama uncorked a 14-4 spurt, nailing three straight jumpers and scoring 10 points in a three-minute stretch. An 8-2 finish in the last two minutes of the second frame off Pelisamen and Gyles Ruluked’s two baskets each kept JP World in the game, 43-49.

Toka’s advantage returned to twin digits in the third period, 60-49, as it spread the wealth anew and worked out on its motion offense. However, JP World came knocking on Toka’s door again with Estolas scoring 7 of the team’s last 10 points in the third to bring the deficit down to 3, 68-71. JP World continued to chase Toka in the fourth quarter, but the latter played steady basketball in the closing minutes to wrap up the short series and complete the sweep.

Toka 100 – Lampkin 19, Lizama 16, Basa 16, Tudela 13, Barcinas 13, Rabauliman 10, Caro 4, Joyner 4.

Scoring by quarters: 22-22, 49-43, 71-68, 100-90.