SIP takes Game 1

Three-time champion Samahang Ilokano at Pangasinense-Flor A. Miranda was happy to be back in the finals, and showed it against powerhouse Cabalen-RP Construction/Transamerica in Game 1 of the best-of-three final series of the Budweiser-Coca Cola 6th UFO Inter-Organizational Basketball League.

The Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium was packed Sunday night as fans anticipated an exciting opener in the finals.

The players from both teams met the expectations head on and engaged in a tight fight that ended with SIP taking command in the closing minutes to win, 88-79.

SIP dominated the first quarter courtesy of a balanced offensive attack, and Cabalen returned the favor in the second period with Ronald Delos Reyes catching fire to close the half with the score 38-37 in favor of SIP.

The battle remained tight and SIP led 55-52 with 2:42 remaining in the third period when a collision at mid-court stalled the action.

Cabalen playing coach Elmer Pineda collided with SIP’s Junar Guiab and Elmer Esdrelon while receiving a lob pass. Pineda was slow to get to his feet, and when he did, was rushed to the corner after sustaining a cut to the right side of his head.

Action resumed and medics arrived just before the end of the period to attend to Pineda.

Meanwhile, Cabalen was able to pull even, 55-55, on a layup by Jason Gatdula with two minutes remaining in the quarter. Unfortunately for the team, SIP responded with a 6-0 run for a 61-55 advantage. Alex Ocampo was money with a perimeter jump shot to pull Cabalen closer, but SIP quickly responded as Robert Tamondong found a cutting Peter Mendiola for a layup, 63-57.

Clock mismanagement by SIP resulted in Cabalen’s Eric Dalangin being able to pull his team closer, 59-63, just before the sound of the buzzer.

Another collision took place just as the fourth quarter began as SIP’s Edsel Mendoza stole the ball and collided with Randy Arnedo just five seconds in.

The two were okay, and Mendoza swiped another pass, went coast-to-coast, and scored a fastbreak layup, 65-59. Cabalen turned the ball over again during their next two possessions, and SIP took advantage as Tamondong and Junar Guiab scored to increase the lead to 10 points, 69-59, with 7:32 remaining.

Cabalen inched to within seven points and seemed to be gaining momentum when Guiab nailed a big triple that restored SIP’s 10-point lead, 78-68, with 2:36 left in regulation.

The two teams exchanged baskets and with time running down, Cabalen was forced to foul on every SIP possession.

SIP, however, was able come through, nailing six of eight free throws and Mendoza drilled another basket to secure the win.

Turnovers hampered Cabalen’s hopes down the stretch as SIP executed well with their full-court trapping defensive.

Mendoza led SIP with 24 points, 13 rebounds, and five steals, while Guiab and Mendiola added 19 and 11 points. Guiab also grabbed 12 rebounds.

Delos Reyes and Dalewin Cortez paced Cabalen with 25 and 16 points, while Dalangin and Ocampo finished with 10 points apiece.

SIP also dominated the boards, outrebounding the taller Cabalen players, 40-28.

Meanwhile, LIPS-Mobil secured a third place finish by beating dethroned two-time champion Visminda-Tambayan/Nel Atalig via default.

SIP 88 – Eds. Mendoza 24, Guiab 19, Mendiola 11, Garcia 9, Alegre 9, Tamondong 9, Esdrelon 7.

Cabalen 79 – Delos Reyes 25, Cortez 16, Ocampo 10, Dalangin 10, D. Barbo 7, Arnedo 6, Gatdula 2, Sampang 2, Sanola 1.

Scoring by quarters: 21-10, 38-37, 63-59, 88-79.

Referees: Dado Vistal, Noel Delos Santos, and Arnold Mesa.