Ali’i Blue Haus holds off Bridge Capital

Ali’i Blue Haus’ Jaymark De Guzman stretches for a layup against two Bridge Capital LLC defenders in the first game of the 2023 Michelob Ultra Cup Men’s Islandwide Basketball League last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (MARK RABAGO)

Ali’i Blue Haus toyed with their food before eventually outlasting Bridge Capital LLC, 84-73, in the first game of the 2023 Michelob Ultra Cup Men’s Islandwide Basketball League last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The powerhouse team actually got off to a jackrabbit start, taking a lopsided 22-7 lead after the opening quarter and then stretched it to 41-23 at the halftime break.

Complacency, however, got the better of Ali’i at the start of the second half, as it allowed a cascade of points from Bridge Capital and because of that they only led by 6 points, 56-50, entering the fourth and final quarter. 

Bridge Capital ultimately lost steam due to their furious rally in the third and went down in double-digit defeat to Ali’i.

Jaymark De Guzman and Jonel Broncano scored 16 points each to lead Ali’i, while oldtimer Elmer Esdrelon added 15 points for insurance. 

Matt Duenas continued his renaissance, pouring in a game-high 25 markers in the loss.

In the second game, Unity Trade rallied to vanquish Socho, 71-63, in a game they trailed in the first three quarters.

Frank Ferrer fired 22 points, while Ron Esmores chipped in 15 points for Unity Trade. Jonathan Limes’ 17 markers paced Socho.

In the third game, Save More posted its second straight win after edging OG Rollers, 74-66.

The game was tight from the get-go with OG Rollers leading by only 3 points, 18-15, after the first 10 minutes. It was only a 1-point game at intermission, 34-33, in favor of OG Rollers, before Save More roared back to take a 54-49 spread going to the payoff period.

Mei Ibe and Jet Jondoc led a balanced scoring attack by Save More with 11 markers each, while the 20 points of JayArt Palmes spearheaded OG Rollers in the loss.

Last Thursday, La Mesa Kusina nipped Roil Soil OG, 53-50, in a low-scoring contest in the second game. Earlier, Martech Ol’Aces blasted OG Rollers, 103-65.

First Game
Ali’i Blue Haus 84 – De Guzman 16, Broncano 16, Esdrelon 15, Castro 10, Barrios 8, Talania 6, De Dios 5, Broncano 4, D. Mateo 4, N. Mateo 4.
Bridge Capital 73 – Mat. Duenas 25, Pangelinan 11, Man. Duenas 9, Perez 8, Docs 7, Bernardo 2, Moises 2.
Scoring by quarters:  22-7, 41-23, 56-50, 84-73.

Second Game
Unity Trade 71 – Ferrer 22, Esmores 15, Camacho 12, Agustin 5, Piritcino 4, Lumen 2.
Socho 63 – Limes 17, M. Aguon 12, G. Pangelinan 10, H. Aguon 8, Faisao 6, Lizama 6, T. Pangelinan 2, Mettao 2, Nekaifes 2.
Scoring by quarters: 13-19, 23-32, 43-46, 71-63.

Third Game
Save More 74 – Jondoc 11, Ibe 10, Dancel 10, David 8, Escano 7, Solis 6, Lizama 4, Genese 4, Tekiupa 3, Vicente 3, Aganto 3.
OG Rollers 66 – Palmes 20, Mariano 16, Satur 12, Viana 7, Teregeyo 4, Eugenio 2, Jeong 2, Cruz 1.
Scoring by quarters: 15-18, 33-34, 54-49, 74-66.