3 complete semis cast in Masters caging

Armatech, KB Hite, and Bammy’s Restaurant eliminated their playoff foes to make it to the semifinals of the 2015 Graphics Invitational Masters Basketball League.

Bammy’s Restaurant’s Alex Ocampo goes over the back of the Boomers’ Joe Rodriguez, left, and Resty Joson in this rebound play in the fourth quarter of their playoff game in then 2015 Graphics Invitational Masters Basketball League last Saturday night at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Armatech and Bammy’s routed the Slashers, 92-68, and Boomers, 73-91, respectively, last Saturday night at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium to join early semifinalist Blues Haus in the Final Four. KB Hite earlier bagged the second semis berth following an 89-82 victory over the Saipan Warriors last Friday.

KB Hite survived Saipan Warriors third-quarter rally to march into the next round of the seven-team league. KB Hite saw its 46-28 halftime lead sliced down to 3 at the end of the third, 62-59, as Mike Surima led the Saipan Warriors fight-back, scoring 14 points in that rally.

However, Saipan Warriors failed to complete the come-from-behind win, as Randy Mungcal and Marlon Sison stepped up in the fourth quarter. The duo drilled 17 of KB Hite’s 20 points in the seven-minute stretch with Manny Duenas nailing the other 3 markers off a triple to keep the team’s safe lead.

Saipan Warriors drew only one field goal and two free throws from Surima in the fourth to falter in their upset bid.

In the first game last Saturday, Armatech consistently score din the 20s in all four quarters to cruise to the win and oust the Slashers.

James Abuy paced Armatech with his 21 points, 9 of them came from downtown in the second quarter as his team turned a 21-14 advantage to a double-digit spread, 45-35. Bernard Montano and Bruce Berline also finished in twin digits with 15 and 12, respectively.

In the second game, Bammy’s withstood the Boomers’ third-quarter run, hitting fastbreak layups in the first few minutes of the fourth en route to the lopsided win.

Down by 14 at halftime, 35-49, the Boomers were back into business after moving within 6 at the end of the third canto, 57-63. Four players scored at least two baskets apiece for the Boomers in the third and they held Bammy’s to 14 markers after the latter exploded for 32 in the second to stay in contention.

However, the Boomers gave up several fastbreak layups and open jumpers to Bammy’s early in the fourth quarter, allowing the latter to stretch its lead. Jun Tabora and Alex Ocampo alternately knocked in the crucial baskets for Bammy’s in the fourth.

Tabora led all scorers with his 34 points, while Ocampo added 21.

Meanwhile, the double-elimination semis round will start tonight with Blue Haus, which notched the first automatic Final Four slot after topping the regular season, taking on KB Hite at 6:30pm. In the second game, Armatech faces Bammy’s.

FRIDAYSATURDAY
First Game
Armatech 92 – Abuy 25, Montano 15, Berline 12, Poquiz 8, Gabaldon 7, Park 5, Malasarte 2, Tolentino 2, Gatdula 2.

Slashers 68 – Tengco 18, S. Ebuen 13, Tibayan 12, Villasan 6, O. Ebuen 6, Abadilla 4, Leong 2, Farinas 2.

Scoring by quarters: 21-14, 45-35, 66-51, 92-68.

Second Game
Bammy’s 91 – D. Tabora 34, Ocampo 21, Zapata 9, De Guzman 8, Sampang 6, Saplan 4, Catalla 3.

Boomers 73 – Joson 14, Usi 14, Cortez 8, Salazar 6, Dela Cruz 5, Pablo 5, Buniag 3, Rodriguez 3, Anasan 2, Manipon 2, Conti 2.

Scoring by quarters: 17-21, 49-35, 63-57, 91-73.