Ali’i Blue Haus, Runnin’ Rebels advance

Ali’i Blue Haus’ Marlon De Dios unloads a shot in front of CES Electronics’ Matt Duenas during their playoff game in the island-wide caging last Thursday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Ali’i Blue Haus and the Runnin’ Rebels completed the semis cast in the 2016 Island-wide Men’s Basketball League following their contrasting playoff wins last Thursday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Ali’i Blue Haus played in the first game and overhauled an early double-digit deficit to down CES Electronics, 87-84, while the Runnin’ Rebels defeated the 670 Sonics, 71-64, in the second game.

With the victory, Ali’i Blue Haus arranged a Final Four showdown against Ballers, while the other pairing pitted the Runnin’ Rebels over the unbeaten Ol’Aces. The two semis games took place last night, but results of the matches were unavailable at press time.

Ali’i Blue Haus moved a win away from advancing to the finals as it came back from a 12-point deficit in the first quarter. Ali’i Blue Haus fell behind, as CES exploded for 33 points in the opening 10 minutes of play against the former’s 19 markers. Matt Duenas led CES’ hot start, knocking in 16 of his 26 points in the opening frame.

However, Duenas failed to sustain his strong start and was held to two field goals and 5 points in the second quarter, which saw Ali’i Blue Haus bringing the lead down to a deuce, 47-49. Brendon Talania and Angelo Fernando brought Ali’i Blue Haus back into the game as they combined for 17 points in the second canto.

Ali’i Blue Haus continued its uphill climb in the third and managed to grab the lead, 70-64, with Elmer Esdrelon this time stepping up on offense. Esdrelon knocked in 7 straight markers in the closing minutes of the penultimate quarter, while Fernando capped the third with back-to-back field goals.

CES tried to regain the upper hand in the fourth canto behind the baskets of Syl Teregeyo, Justin Andrew, and Derrick Rangamar, however, Bart Demapan was there to save the day for Ali’i Blue Haus. Demapan scored his team’s last 7 points and 10 of his 13 markers in the final frame to hand Ali’i Blue Haus the 3-point win.

In the second game, the Runnin’ Rebels led from start to finish to eliminate the 670 Sonics.

Shane Deleon Guerrero paced the Runnin’ Rebels with his 15 points, while Ben Lisua chipped in 14. Jack Aranda had 14 markers, too, for the 670 Sonics.

First Game
Ali’i Blue Haus 87— Fernando 15, Demapan 13, Esdrelon 11, Devero 11, De Dios 11, Barbo 8, Talania 8, Santos 4, Capalad 3, Guiab 2.
CES Electronics 84 — Duenas 26, Teregeyo 19, Andrew 14, Rangamar 14, Tabora 4, Hernandez 4, Norita 3.
Scoring by quarters: 19-33, 47-49, 70-64, 87-84.

Second Game
Runnin’ Rebels 71 — Deleon Guerrero 15, Lisua 14, Babauta 9, Reyes 8, Pangelinan 6, Camacho 6, Ogarto 6, Sablan 4.
670 Sonics 64 — Aranda 14, Lansang 9, Arciaga 8, Dela Rosa 6, De Guzman 6, Javier 5, Feria 4, Rabasto 4, Galarse 4, Rivera 3, Fidelino 2.
Scoring by quarters: 25-16, 40-34, 53-51, 71-64.