JCN stuns Poohdeni, SIP takes care of business

Almost everyone—except its players and coaching staff—didn’t like JCN Enterprises’ chances entering its Final Four match against elimination round topnotcher Poohdeni Saturday in the 2005 MDX Amateur Radio Inter-color Basketball League.

That’s why all were in shock at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium Saturday night after JCN dominated the first three quarters and held on to pull off the season’s biggest upset, sending the erstwhile undefeated Poohdeni team to the consolation game, while earning the first slot to the championship with a hard earned 100-89 victory.

With their hearts focused on pulling what many thought was impossible, JCN began its charge on the right foot, taking the early lead as young gun Rowell Aranda knocked down four field goals to spearhead a 23-point start that also featured the normally high-scoring Poohdeni team struggle for just 13 points.

Poohdeni eventually recovered and put up a better show in the second quarter, but they weren’t able to cool off JCN, which turned to guard Andres “Jhun” Estolas Jr., who sliced and diced his way for 10 points.

With Estolas getting into a rhythm and Aranda and Kevin Cequena putting up solid numbers, JCN headed into the break up by a comfortable margin, 49-36.

Things went from bad to worse for Poohdeni as JCN continued to pad its lead, outscoring its opponent, 26-23, going into the fourth and final quarter with a 75-59 lead.

With their backs against the wall and its doorway to the championship slowly closing, Poohdeni showed why they went undefeated in the regular season as the team refused to give in and began inching back.

Jorge De Guzman, Bing Marasigan, Jawn Joyner, and Pando Muleta shouldered a desperate attack that worked to their favor. Poohdeni moved to within striking distance as the team went on a 28-16 run to pull to within just four points, 87-91.

Unfortunately for Poohdeni, that was as close as JCN would let them get to its lead as the team responded with a 7-0 run in the next minute and a half for a 98-87 advantage with 31.1 seconds remaining to seal the deal.

Forward Melvin Villarin was consistent all night long for JCN, scoring four points or more in each of the four quarters to finish with a game-high 22 points, while Aranda and Estolas were good for 21 and 20 points, respectively. Cequena and James Abuy also added 13 and 10 points.

Joyner led Poohdeni with 18 points, while De Guzman and Lester Babauta added 15 and 14 points. Marasigan and Muleta finished with 13 and 12 points with the latter slowed down by cramping on both legs.

In the second game, Samahang Ilokano at Panganense shared the ball well and stuck to the 287 Club-Verizon players like glue to set up a finals meeting with JCN following an impressive 103-94 victory.

The two teams matched each other well in the opening period, with SIP attacking with play inside and outside, and 287 Club scoring in the paint and with charity shots. At the end of the first 10 minutes, SIP was clinging to a 27-25 lead.

The tightly fought battle soon turned into a double-digit lead for SIP as guard Elmer Esdrelon heated up the net for nine points, while getting solid support from seven other players to help SIP stretch its lead to 11 points heading into halftime, 53-42.

287 Club-Verizon clawed its way closer in the third period, giving SIP a run for its money after a 3-pointer by Ronald Delos Reyes, a jumper by Randy Arnedo, and a free throw by Delos Reyes pulled the team to within just five points, 60-65, with under four minutes left.

SIP shooter Jester Garcia, however, would spark another run for his team with a dagger from downtown, while Esdrelon continued to perform well to help SIP bring the lead back up to double digits, 78-67, as the game went into the payoff period.

Veteran Edzel Mendoza then took his game to another level and dropped 10 points in the last 10 minutes, Esdrelon put up another eight points, and Jason Amado knocked down a triple and an acrobatic layup that was just enough to hold off a charging 287 Club crew, which managed to cut the lead to seven points with a 6-0 run with over a minute left before SIP closed the doors.

Esdrelon finished with 28 points to lead all scorers, while Mendoza and Amado contributed 17 and 13 points for SIP. Garcia also chipped in 12 points.

Delos Reyes led 287 Club with 25 points, while Darwin Barbo and Arndeo added 23 and 19 points. Shooter and former SIP cager Sonny Ranola also had 12 points.

First Game

JCN 100—Villarin 22, Aranda 21, Estolas 20, Cequena 13, Abuy 10, Barrios 4, Artates 3, Capalad 2, Usi 2.

Poohdeni 89—Joyner 18, DE Guzman 15, Babauta 14, Marasigan 13, Muleta 12, De Belen 7, Cosino 6, Gamboa 4.

Scoring by quarters: 23-13, 49-36, 75-59, 100-89.

Referees: Jess Pacheco, Arnold Mesa, and Gilbert Espinosa.

Second Game

SIP103—Esdrelon 28, Mendoza 17, Amado 13, Garcia 12, Alegre 8, Guiab 6, Tamondong 5, Factor 5, Ja. Villacrusis 5, Mendiola 4.

287 Club 94—Delos Reyes 25, Barbo 23, Arnedo 19, Ranola 12, Mungcal 6, Sinca 4, Sampang 4, Gatdula 1.

Scoring by quarters: 27-25, 53-42, 78-67, 103-94.

Referees: Noel Delos Reyes, Dado Vistal, and Manny Sitchon.