PSS bounces back, beats P&S

Public School System limited Procurement and Supply to nine points in each of the middle quarters and went on to beat them 76-63 in the lone match of the 2006 Inter-Government Basketball League Thursday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

PSS didn’t really get off to a great start, as they were only able to distance themselves by a couple of buckets in the first quarter, 15-11, from P&S, which came into the game losing all four of its games to start the season.

Their offense however finally came together in the second half, as forwards Francis Mendoza and Gary Lashley scores six points apiece.

The educators also showed some defense in the quarter, holding P&S to under double digits, as they took to the break enjoying an 18-point spread, 38-20.

With the comfortable lead entering the second half, PSS opted to field their shock troopers in the third quarter. P&S however failed to capitalize going up against the opposing squad’s second and third stringers.

Although they were able to outscore PSS 9-5 in what probably could be the lowest-scoring 10 minutes in the history of Inter-Government caging, P&S hardly made a dent on the educators’ mammoth lead and still trailed 29-43 heading into the fourth and final quarter of the contest.

PSS starters were reinserted back into the court for the final 10 minutes of action and P&S didn’t stand a chance, as PSS raised its win-loss mark to 4-1.

Taj Van Buren showed his scoring touch from afar and from close range, knocking down shot after shot en route to scoring 10 of his team-high 15 points in the canto. Lashley also picked up where he left off in the first, adding six more points, as PSS strolled to the lopsided win.

John Jimeno and Lashley supported Van Buren with 13 and 12 points for PSS, while scoring machine Edgar Pangelinan continued to play well for a bad team, pacing P&S with a game-high 34 markers. His former teammate at the Commonwealth Ports
Authority, Mike Muna, also added 12 points in the loss.

The other game in the Inter-Government Basketball League schedule was postponed to a later date after high surf warnings prevented Tinian from coming over.

Public School System 76 – Van Buren 15, Jimeno 13, Lashley 12, J. Villagomez 11, F. Mendiola 7, Rayphand 4, P. Mendiola 4, Gross 3, Garon 3, Mendez 2, Mizutani 2.

Procurement and Supply 63 – E. Pangelinan 34, Muna 12, Takai 5, Tudela 4, Palacios 2, Guerero 2, Borja 2, G. Pangelinan 2.

Scoring by quarters: 15-11, 38-20, 43-29, 76-63.

Referees: Jess Pacheco and Eric Artillaga.