Poohdeni scores plenty on JCN, 116-104

The pummeling powers of Poohdeni provided plenty of punch on Sunday evening as they extended their unbeaten streak to four games against JCN Ent. in an offensive minded contest that was a basket away from setting the mesh ablaze in continuation of the 2nd MDX Basketball League at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The P-men had five players in double digits led by Ed Cosino who scored 21 and pulled down 13 boards, but his supporting cast had more than just a bit part in the score-athon, as Lester Babauta posted 19 points and Jawn Joyner tallied 18.

After taking a 10-point lead in the first quarter, Poohdeni poured on the offense with 31 points in the second to hold onto the dime-sized 57-47 advantage at the half, despite JCN’s James Abuy who went off for 12 points.

Estolas and Rowell Aranda put on a clinic in the third quarter as the dynamic duo combined for 25 of JCN’s 33 points to cut Poohdeni’s lead to six, 84-80, but their hot hands cooled in the fourth and the P-men regained their swagger with 32 points while holding JCN to 24.

Cosino was all over the glass along with Babauta, Joyner, Jorge De Guzman, and Eric Macaspac who combined to reel in 22 rebounds in the win. On the other side of the coin, JCN’s Estolas drained four three-pointers and led all scores on the night with 32, but the unselfish standout also kicked out eight assists to his teammates despite the loss. At 2-2, JCN is still in the running for a chance at the top spot, but they’ll need a ladder to get out of the hole of their making.

Just about everybody on the SIP bench put up points for the yellow clad warriors in the late game, as 12 players of the 14-man roster scored chipped in for their fourth victory of the season against a determined 287 Club Verizon, 90-82.

Only Leo Factor and Rick Alegre went into double digits for SIP, but Factor led all scorers with 23, and the rest of the team showed while there isn’t an S, I, or P in team that there is plenty of team in SIP.

Despite boasting a pair of 20-point score in Darwin Barbo and “K-Gun” Bernardo, Verizon suffered its second loss of the season in a close one. After muscling out a narrow 21-20 lead in the first, Verizon watched as Factor scored 13 in the second to lead SIP to a 53-40 advantage at the half.

The lead was cut in two in the third when Bernardo put in some OT to inspire his teammates by scoring 12 of his 20, but both teams put the clams on in the fourth and the dueling offenses combine to put up a measly 28 points.

At 4-1, SIP is a half-game behind Poohdeni in the standings, while Verizon sits in a fourth place logjam with JCN and SMF-Seabridge at 2-2.

FIRST GAME

Poohdeni 116 – Cosino 21, Babauta 19, Joyner 18, Gamboa 12, Muleta 10, De Guzman 9, Marasigan 8, Macaspac 8, De Belen 6, Umali 4, Uy 1.

JCN Ent. 104 – Estolas 32, Aranda 20, Cequena 19, Abuy 14, Palma 9, Villarin 6, Artates 4.

Scoring by quarters: 26-16, 57-47, 84-80, 116, 104

Referees: Dado Vistal, Manny Sitchon, and Jess Pacheco Abner Venus, G. Esconde

SECOND GAME

SIP 90- Factor 23, Alegre 10, J. Garcia 9, Esdrelon 8, Flores 8, Tamondong 7, Guiab 6, Diaz 5, Amado 5, Villacrusis 5, Jo. Villacrusis 2, Mendiola 2.

287 Club Verizon 82 – Bernardo 20, Barbo 20, Pambid 15, Sampang 8, Mungcal 6, Pineda 5, Arconado 2, Sinca 2, Gatdula 2.

Scoring by quarters: 20-21, 53-40, 75-69, 90-82

Referees: Dado Vistal, Gary Esconde, and Arnold Mesa.