Ali’i Blue Haus unbeaten in regular season

Ali’i Blue Haus’ Junar Guiab unloads an uncontested layup during their game against Stephen’s Pawnshop in the UFO caging last week at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Ali’i Blue Haus/Bayani finished the regular season of the 2016 UFO/IT&E Inter-Organizational Basketball League with an unblemished record following its 100-82 victory over Save More/MIFICPA following last Thursday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Ali’i Blue Haus, the first automatic semifinalist in the nine-team field, wrapped up the single-eliminated round with an impressive 8-0 record, while Save More continued its roller-coaster ride this season after falling to a 3-4 record.

Save More, which has one more game left (against Armatech), kept pace with Ali’i Blue Haus in the first half, facing only a 44-50 deficit, but its so-so offense in the third quarter stood no chance against its streaking opponent. Ali’i Blue Haus exploded for 31 points in the pivotal third canto, while Save More was held to 5 field goals and 12 points.

Ali’i Blue Haus ran a balance offense in its third-quarter breakaway with Junar Guiab leading the assault for the pennant champion. Guiab scored 10 points in the penultimate frame, while his seven other teammates also hit the board in the third. Bart Demapan, Ivan Devero, and Edwin Santos chipped in 4 apiece, Elmer Esdrelon contributed 3, and Sam Fernandez, Manolo Manalo, and Lerio Pagarao added 2 each.

Only three players scored for Save More in their lackluster showing in the third canto. Chris Liles posted 5 points, while Ariel Maisa and Sid Quan logged 4 and 3 markers, respectively. Save More clearly missed the production of Elgene Mangali, who finished the half with 16 points after knocking in four triples in the first 20 minutes of play, but misfired in the third.

Mangali still struggled in the fourth as he was limited to one triple, making it hard for Save More to mount a comeback in the final frame.

Guiab, on the other hand, was still on target in the fourth period, adding 8 more points, including Ali’i Blue Haus’ last three field goals, while Demapan registered the team’s first 7 markers in final canto to widen the gap.

Guiab led all scorers with his 22 points, while Demapan earned 21. Three other Ali’i Blue Haus players finished in twin digits with Esdrelon making 15 and Pagarao and Devero having 12 apiece.

Ali’i Blue Haus 100 — Guiab 22, Demapan 21, Esdrelon 15, Pagarao 12, Devero 12, Santos 6, Manalo 4, Fernandez 4, Patawaran 2.

Save More 82 — Mangali 19, Quan 18, Maisa 12, Lilles 11, Backe 10, Sison 6, Guiang 4, Villanueva 2.

Scoring by quarters: 25-18, 50-44, 81-56, 100-82.