Cabalen, SIP flex their muscles

Powerhouse teams Cabalen-RP Construction and SIP-Verizon began the second round of the 2004 UFO-San Miguel Cup on a high note, vanquishing separate rivals via lopsided scores Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

In the first game, the three-time defending champions had nine of their 10 players finishing in double figures as they dominated Bayani 139-95.

Rookie sensation Jason Amado was the highpoint man for SIP with 25 points, while returnee Leo Factor and Miller Lite best player of the game Rick Alegre chipped in 16 and 15 points, respectively. The only SIP cager that didn’t reach double figures, Robert Tamondong, still wound up with 9.

Center Tim Paez had 29 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists to lead Bayani. Manny Rabasto also scored 25 points on top of 6 rebounds and 3 steals.

Cabalen then topped SIP’s rout when they completely obliterated LIPS-Jam Construction 136-57 in the second game.

LIPS were only in the game in the early stages and yet Cabalen still clobbered them by 12 points after the first quarter.

It was a whopping 25-point lead, 57-32, at the turn and Cabalen doubled up LIPS, 93-45, going into the fourth and final quarter of the ballgame.

With the match beyond doubt, coach Elmer Pineda inserted himself in payoff period and managed to win MVP of the game honors after pumping in 9 points, issuing 3 assists and the same number of steals in limited action.

Seldom-used players top-scored for Cabalen with Rico Canlas punching in 20 and veteran George Barbo finishing with 12 points. The 24 markers of Manny Guimalan and 16 of point guard Rene Pe paced LIPS.

On Friday, the elimination phase of the all-Filipino cage league finally wrapped up with MAFILWA-McDonald’s continuing to baffle pundits beating LIPS 76-70.

It was an evenly matched ballgame from the opening tip until the final buzzer with MAFILWA taking a modest lead but never entirely shaking off LIPS.

The fastfood kings then pushed all the right buttons in the fourth quarter, while LIPS stumbled, allowing MAFILWA to even its record to 2-2 in the first round.

Leading scorer Joseph Achas top-scored for McDonald’s with 23 points and 11 rebounds, while underrated playmaker Ferdie Tobias had 19 aside from issuing 6 dimes and stealing thrice. Pe had 22 points and Guimalan 16 points in a losing cause for LIPS.

In the first game, FASA-PABA-CNC Inc. also wrapped up their elimination round assignment by pulling off a hard-earned 105-100 victory against a winless MDX Amateur Radio Club team.

Former IVYBL MVP Kevin Cequena led FASA in the win with 33 points, while backcourt mate Jhun Estolas tossed in 18.

Butch Sublemente and fellow high-leaper Moreno Martin finished with 21 and 20 points, respectively, as MDX finished the eliminations with an unenviable 0-5 mark.

But unlike Cavite-Pacific Islands Club, MDX moved on to the playoffs as 12 of the 13 teams are advancing to the double-elimination phase of the competition.

Friday
First Game

FASA-PABA 105 – Cequena 33, Estolas 18, Peredo 12, Montano 11, Guiab 8, Velasco 6, Dela Cruz 4, Dela Torre 4, De Guzman 3, Deocares 2.

MDX 100 – Sublemente 21, Martin 20, Umali 17, Malasarte 10, Rebuyon 9, Costales 8, Galulu 6, Vargas 5, Sanson 2, Diyco 2.

Scoring by quarters: 21-19, 48-43, 76-69, 105-100.

Referees: Ricky Itaas and Jess Pacheco.

Second Game

MAFILWA 76 – J. Achas 23, Tobias 19, Salazar 9, Lizo 8, L. Achas 5, Mi. Achas 4, Ma. Achas 1.

LIPS 70 – Pe 22, Guimalan 16, Catilo 15 ,Cantos 9, Nato 4, Desingano 2, Yalung 2.

Scoring by quarters: 23-14, 38-29, 54-47, 76-70.

Referees: Jess Fabula and Noel Delos Santos.

Saturday
First Game

SIP 139 – Amado 25, Factor 16, R. Alegre 15, Arconado 14, Flores 14, Villacrusis 14, Diaz 11, Garcia 11, Mendiola 10, Tamondong 9.

Bayani 95 – Paez 29, Rabasto 25, Laitan 12, Sese 10, Villegas 7, Pineda 6, Aglubat 6.

Scoring by quarters: 31-12, 63-40, 95-66, 139-95.

Referees: Noel Delos Santos and Jess Pacheco.

Second Game

Cabalen 136 – Canlas 20, Magcalas 16, D. Barbo 13, G. Barbo 12, Sinca 12, Mendoza 9, Pineda 9, Salazar 8, Delos Reyes 7, Arnedo 7, Ocampo 2, Gatdula 2, Pantola 2.

LIPS 57 – Guimalan 24, Pe 16, Diaz 8, Nato 4, Desingano 2, Macapagal 2, Villanueva 1.

Scoring by quarters: 28-16, 57-32, 93-45, 136-57.

Referees: Ricky Itaas and Gabriel White.