SIP, LIPS cruise to wins

Sunday’s bouts in the ongoing MARPAC-Budweiser 6th UFO Inter-Organizational Basketball League had similar results as Samahang Ilokano at Pangasinense-Flor A. Miranda and LIP-Mobil were on the winning side of double-digit routs at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

In the opener, the LIPS cagers had their way against Bibak-Island Card as the young dynamic duo of Rowel Aranda and Kevin Cequena combined for more than half of their team’s points, leading LIPS to a lopsided 130-88 victory.

After getting off to slow starts, Aranda and Cequena both picked up their game and each pumped in 13 points in the second half as LIPS saw its 24-16 first quarter lead grow to 61-30 at the break.

Aranda continued to have the hot hand for the Mobil-backed squad when action resumed. He first dropped a bomb from downtown, then followed it up with eight field goals for 19 points, spearheading a 40-23 run that ended with LIPS surpassing the century mark, 101-53.

It was the same story in the fourth quarter as LIPS closed the match with no trouble.

Aranda finished with 49 points, 10 rebounds, and seven steals to go along with four assists and a blocked shot, while Cequena had 31 points, 11 rebounds, three assists, four steals, and two blocks. James Abuy, Melvin Villarin, and Michael Surima also scored 10 points or more for LIPS.

Gilbert Miranda led Bibak with 17 points, while Amorsolo Casabueja and Jester Batoon added 14 points apiece.

In the second game, James Villacrusis had 21 points, 13 rebounds, four assists, a steal, and a block to lead SIP to a 102-88 victory over SMF-Shell.

SMF led after the first quarter, 19-17, but gave the lead to SIP in the second period, 38-43, only to recover after the third, 70-68.

That’s when SIP kicked it into fifth gear and blew away the opposition for the 14-point victory margin.

Jason Amado also had 17 points, while Jester Garcia and Leo Factor pumped in 12 and 10 points for SIP.

Sonny Lerio and Leo Itaas led SMF with 22 and 17 points, while Jimmy Sison and Ernie Moses scored 13 and 12 points.

FIRST GAME

LIPS-Mobil 130 – Aranda 49, Cequena 31, Abuy 15, Villarin 12, Surima 10, Canlas 7, Bernabe 4.

Bibak-Island Card 88 – Miranda 17, Casabueja 14, Batoon 14, Cantos 8, Vargas 7, Ardales 6, Pacheco 6, Sanciangco 6, Padolina 4, Miguel 2, Almendras 2, Ong 2, Conti 2.

Scoring by quarters: 24-16, 61-30, 101-53, 130-88.

Referees: Jess Pacheco and Arnold Mesa.

SECOND GAME

SIP-Flor A. Miranda 102 – Ja. Villacrusis 21, Amado 17, Garcia 12, Factor 10, Tamondong 7, Guiab 7, Flores 6, Alegre 6, Esdrelon 5, Mendoza 5, Jo. Villacrusis 2, Cabrera 2.

SMF-Shell 88 – Lerio 22, Itaas 17, Sison 13, Moses 12, Robles 7, Demegillo 4, Cayetano 4, Tagle 3, Delfun 2.

Scoring by quarters: 17-19, 43-38, 68-70, 102-88.

Referees: Noel Delos Santos and Dado Vistal.