Country House deals Angel Wings its first loss

Country House dug itself out of a very deep hole at the start of game and exacted a previously unbeaten Angel Wings team its first loss of the 2004 Inter-Restaurant Basketball League season, 68-63, past midnight yesterday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Angels Wings began the contest like a house on fire, scoring baskets on a bunch of easy layups off steals in the backcourt and some nifty outside shooting by center Owen Parayno.

In fact, the Garapan watering hole, which entered the game 5-0, blanked Country House in the first 6:28 of the ballgame racing to a 14-0 advantage that forced their opponents to sue for time twice in the first quarter.

Order was soon restored after the second timeout with do-it-all swingman Banjo Basila rescuing Country House from the early rut they found themselves into.

Country House went on a 16-6 run to close the quarter and miraculously, were behind by only 4 points, 16-20, heading into the second.

Angel Wings were confused more than anything else for blowing the big lead and Basila and company were more than happy to capitalize at the start of second quarter.

Basila scored at will on the outside, inside and fastbreak as Country House knotted the game at 29-all with 2:03 remaining in the first half.

But Angel Wings had one last spurt left in them and scored 4 of the half’s finals 5 points to take a 33-30 edge at the break.

The exciting game unfolding on the court was momentarily set aside for the 3-point shootout at halftime, when Ambie Vega of Country House edged Alex Mempin of Angel Wings, 3-2, after the former hit the final 3-ball.

When action resumed in the third quarter Angel Wings imposed their will on Country House and managed to maintain a lead hovering between 6 and 8 points.

The team still had a modest advantage of 5 points with a little over three minutes left in the quarter but Basila and guard Edward Vega joined hands to tie it up at 46-all.

Country House led for the first time moments later when Basila hit a fastbreak lay-in. But Angel Wings ace Richard Tan scored on a buzzer-beater to make it 48-all entering the fourth and final quarter.

Country House began the payoff period with a sense of urgency and jumped to a 54-49 spread on a short stab by Koichi Tabei.

Angel Wings, however, were far from done and retaliated with a 7-2 run to knot it all up at 56-all. Angel Wings took the upperhand at 60-58 following consecutive buckets by Tan and point guard Marlon Pineda.

But it proved short-lived as Basila made a 3-point play and that sparked a 10-3 run that clinched the victory for Country House.

Basila once again had a brilliant game leading Country House’s charge with 35 points, 16 rebounds, 6 rebounds, and 2 assists. Vega added 12, while bull-strong forward Joy Dayrit chipped in 11 points and 10 boards.

Parayno had a sizzling game despite the loss, pumping in 23 points, hauling down 4 rebounds, and swiping the ball thrice. High-leaping guard Butch Sublemente was also good for 10 markers, 4 rebounds, and 3 steals.

The 2004 IRBL will resume tonight with powerhouse Capricciosa taking on cellar dweller LSG Sky Chefs beginning at 11pm. The midnight league is hosted by Country House and is sponsored by Triple J Wholesale.

Country House 68 – Basila 35, Vega 13, Dayrit 12, Tabei 3, Bautista 2, Canonoy 2, Lopez 1.

Angel Wings 63 – Parayno 23, Sublemente 10, Guiang 9, Pineda 7, Eugenio 6, Tan 5, Mempin 1.

Scoring by quarters: 16-20, 30-33, 48-48, 68-63.

Referees: Arnold Mesa and Jojo Molar.