Blue Haus, Hawaiian Rock nip foes in Emon Lodge caging

Blue Haus’ Edwin Santos goes for a reverse layup against Hawaiian Rock’s Noel Mateo during their game in the Emon Lodge caging last week at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. Santos made a free throw in the closing seconds of their 63-62 win over Mariana Resort last Monday night. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

In the first match, Hawaiian Rock pulled off a come-from-behind 76-74 win over PIC Chefs, while in the second game, Blue Haus escaped past Mariana Resort, 63-62. Blue Haus remained undefeated in two games to take the solo lead in the seven-team field, while Mariana Resort absorbed its first loss after winning its first two matches. Hawaiian Rock bagged its first victory after bowing to Blue Haus in the opener, while PIC Chefs fell to a 0-2 record.

PIC Chefs led in the majority of the game and even took a double-digit spread after the first period, 27-17, before falling apart in the fourth canto. PIC Chefs scored only 12 points and had two field goals in the pivotal fourth, while Hawaiian Rock had its most production in the payoff canto, hitting 21 markers. Ronald Abaygar jumpstarted Hawaiian Rock’s comeback bid in the final frame, drilling six straight points, while the rest of his teammates took over in the end to eke out the 2-point win. Noel Mateo nailed back-to-back field goals in the closing minutes, while Lilio Tiples and Dela Cruz hit one basket each.

Butch Sublemente and Jun Tabora had one field goal each for PIC Chefs in the fourth-quarter collapse, putting the former’s game-high 27 points into waste. Sublemente also finished in twin digits with 13, but had to bleed for points from the foul line in the fourth canto. Rodney Catalla was the third PIC Chefs player to earn double figures with his 17, but was scoreless in the fourth quarter.

Abaygar top-scored for Hawaiian Rock with 18, while Robert Guiang and Jack Palacios added 14 and 11, respectively.

In the second game, Blue Haus stole the win from Mariana Resort in the last seven seconds.

Behinds by only three, 62-59, after the free throw of Mariana Resort’s Jessie Stohle was nullified (faking off), Blue Haus pushed the ball quickly with Ernie Moises on the finishing end, converting the game-tying triple, three seconds left on the clock.

Mariana Resort then went for the inbound, but Joseph Galulu’s pass hit the back of Blue Haus’ Edwin Santos. Santos went on to pick up the loose ball and was fouled by Galulu under the basket. Santos made his first free throw to put Blue Haus on top and intentionally missed the second charity with 1.4 seconds left on the clock, leaving the opposing teams to battle for the rebound as time expired.

Moises and Santos were among the four Blue Haus player who scored in twin digits in their close win. Moises had 12 markers, matching Bruce Berline’s output, while Junar Guiab and Santos contributed 20 and 11, respectively. Jun Alipio paced Mariana Resort with his 18 points.

First Game
Hawaiian Rock 76 – Abaygar 18, Guiang 14, Palacios 11, Dela Cruz 6, Tiples 6, Mateo 5, Salazar 4, Tengco 2, De Belen 2.

PIC Chefs 74 – J. Tabora 26, Catalla 16, Sublement 13, D. Tabora 6, Fracis 6, Hernandez 5.

Scoring by quarters: 17-27, 36-40, 55-62, 76-74.

Second Game
Blue Haus 63 – Guiab 20, Moises 12, Berline 12, Santos 11, Pangelinan 4, Palacios 2, Diaz 2.

Mariana Resort 62 – Alipio 18, Pineda 14, Stohle 8, Montes 7, Galulu 7, Garcia 2, Cosino 2.

Scoring by quarters: 14-9, 28-29, 45-44, 63-62.

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