SIP-Verizon steamrolls Cabalen, 112-84

Three-time champion SIP-Verizon broke much of Cabalen-RP Construction’s spirit in the third quarter and went on to post a 112-84 rampaging win in the resumption of the 2004 UFO-San Miguel Cup playoffs Saturday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Cabalen, which is also being backed this year by Transamerica and EC Communications, got off to a lightning-quick start and led by as much as a baker’s dozen before settling for a 35-23 lead after the opening quarter.

But playing coach Rick Alegre and his young guns went charging back in the second quarter.

Learning all too well that engaging the taller and heftier Cabalen players in a half-court set was all but futile, SIP sped up the game in the second and, lo and behold, it worked wonders.

Former MDX Amateur Radio Group stalwart Peter Mendiola led the way with his defense on Cabalen playmaker Randy Arnedo and he also found time to contribute on offense, piling up 7 points.

Alegre brilliantly orchestrated the plays, while rookie Jason Amado and last year ROY awardee James Villcrusis also did their share, allowing SIP to eventually take a slim 49-48 lead at the break.

Cabalen still have yet to regain their poise at the start of the second half, as SIP continued to build on their lead.

Paul Magcalas rifled a 3-pointer to trim the lead somewhat to 58-54 with a little over six minutes to go in the quarter. But SIP gunner and national player Jester Garcia answered with a triple of his own.

It turned out to be the beginning of the end for Cabalen, as SIP went on to outscore them 22-8 the rest of the third to grab a comfortable 80-62 advantage going into the fourth and final quarter.

The waning moments of the third told the entire story of the encounter, as SIP trapped Cabalen’s guards on the backcourt leading to easy points, the last of which came on a buzzer-beating layup by Alegre.

Things would go from bad to worse in the payoff period.

Although, bull-strong center Ronald Delos Reyes scored the first 5 points of the fourth, SIP was in no mood for dramatic finishes and immediately doused cold water on Cabalen’s comeback hopes.

Newcomer Junar Arco-nado and former national player Edsel Mendoza took turns snuffing out the big men of Cabalen and this led to more fastbreak baskets for SIP.

It was all over but the shouting with five minutes left, with both teams emptying their respective benches, as what was billed a game that surely will go down the wire quickly dissipated into a blowout.

SIP dominated Cabalen in almost all departments. They outrebounded them, 49-35; issued more assists, 20-7; and had more steals, 20-3. The only Cabalen statistic came out on top was in blocks, 3-2.

To add to their woes, Cabalen also missed 12 of the 26 free throws awarded them in the second half.

Amado and Villacrusis paced seven SIP players in double figures with 16 points apiece. Mendoza also turned back the hands of time with a retro performance, logging in 14 points and hauling down 10 rebounds.

But it was the play of x-factor Arconado that impressed everyone, as he came away with 8 points and 7 boards in limited burn to earn MVP of the game honors.

Delos Reyes scored 23 points and had 7 boards in the loss. Ryan Mendoza and Arnedo also finished in double figures with 14 and 11 points.

SIP 112 – Amado 16, Villacrusis 16, Garcia 15, Factor 14, Mendoza 14, Alegre 11, Mendiola 10, Arconado 8, Espinosa 4, Rapanut 2.

Cabalen 84 – Delos Reyes 23, Mendoza 14, Arnedo 11, Alipio 9, Canlas 7, Magcalas 6, Ocampo 6, Sinca 5, Jo. Gatdula 2, Ja. Gatdula 1.

Scoring by quarters: 23-35, 49-48, 80-62, 112-84.

Referees: Ricky Itaas and Jess Pabula.