3 teams complete DLX semis cast

The 2011 DLX Basketball Invitational Friendship League is now down to Final Four after the three remaining quarterfinal games were completed last Friday at the Gualo Rai Court Basketball.

SCS Heavy Equipment Rental, Blue Haus/Satbahi, and Wushin Express won their respective first round playoff matches to join early qualifier MDX in the semifinals. Wushin Express and MDX collide in the first semis match tonight at 6pm, while SCS meets Blue Haus/Satbahi in the other Final Four pairing at 8pm.

Wushin Express booked the last semis ticket after surviving Sherwin Williams in overtime, 92-91. Jun Patawaran made the game-winning shot in the closing seconds off a feed from Pete Lizama. Sherwin Williams had the last shot in the remaining five seconds, but Jun Estolas failed to cash in.

Wushin fell behind most of the way and forced an overtime, 78-all, after canning four free throws in the dying seconds of the fourth quarter. Lizama drilled three charities, while Guiab had a split. Estolas scored Sherwin William’s last three points in regulation to stay afloat, but fell short in the extra five minutes.

Lizama led Wushin with 31 points, while Jun Tabora added 20, making six of them in overtime.

In the first game last Friday, SCS also pulled off a close win against 8th Division, 77-76, to march into the semifinals.

Manolo Manalo sizzled four 26 points for SCS, nailing two crucial free throws that sealed the win for his team. Rocyl Ritual chipped in 12.

SCS had early control of the playoff match, posting a 21-12 advantage, behind Manalo’s eight markers. 8th Division then picked up its scoring in the second period, outgunning SCS, 22-18, to move within five at the break, 34-39.

The match remained close after three quarters with SCS ahead by only a hair, 53-52, as 8th Division’s defense held Manalo to only one field goal in the third period.

However, Manalo showed up anew in the fourth canto, tallying eight points, while Jessie Mina added seven, including a crucial triple late in the final period, to save SCS.

After the first game of the night, Blue Haus/Satbahi and FGC Builders played the continuation of their rained-out match with the former cruising to a 68-47 victory.

Before the resumption of the match, Blue Haus was enjoying a 60-43 advantage and added eight more points in the remaining 5:08 to eliminate FGC.

Brandon Talania top-scored for Blue Haus with 18 points.

First Game

SCS 77 – Manalo 26, Ritual 12, Mina 9, Tobias 8, Guiang 6, Pantaleon 6, Miranda 5, Comeo 2.

8th Division 76 – Bernardo 18, Ngeskebei 18, E. Duenas 17, Mat. Duenas 8, Mateo 5, Detera 4, Factor 4.

Scoring by quarters: 21-12, 39-34, 52-51, 77-76.

Second Game

Blue Haus/Satbahi 68 – Talania 18, Itaas 12, B. Camacho 14, E. Camacho 8, Cruz 6, Fernand 3, Abedes 3, Sison 2.

FGC Builders 47 — Barrios 15, B. Montano 10, Camacho 6, W. Capalad 6, Dayrit 4, M. Capald 2, Llagas 2.

Scoring by quarters: 14-6, 38, 27, 53-36, 68-47.

Third Game

Wushin Express 92 – Lizama 31, Tabora 20, Guiab 13, Santos 12, Tibayan 11, Patawaran 2, Ebuen 1.

Sherwin Williams 91 – Estolas 42, Mangali 31, Galzote 8, Reyes 4, Dayrit 4, Mallari 2.

Scoring by quarters: 18-20, 38-42, 57-63, 78-78, 92-91.