Ali’i Blue Haus withstands 8th Division’s rally in 4th

Ali’i Blue Haus/Bayani’s Tony Diaz, left, unloads a fastbreak layup against 8th Division/MAFEA’s Kelvin Fitial during the first quarter of the opening game in the UFO/IT&E caging last Sunday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Ali’i Blue Haus/Bayani survived 8th Division/MAFEA’s fourth-quarter storm to pull off an 82-77 victory in the opening game in the 2016 UFO/IT&E Inter-Organizational Basketball League last Sunday morning at the Gilbert C. Ada Gynasium.

Ali’i Blue Haus led by double figures at the end of the first, second, and third quarters, but was threatened in the fourth when 8th Division brought down the deficit to as low as 3 points, 70-73, going into the last three minutes of the match. A timely triple from Elmer Esdrelon and four free throws in the homestretch eventually saved the day for the heavily favored Ali’i Blue Haus.

Bannered by players whose skills are still good enough to play in an open league, Ali’i Blue Haus was expected to cruise past 8th Division. Ali’i Blue Haus has brothers Ed and Tony Diaz on its roster and teaming up with Esdrelon, Junar Guiab, Ernie Moises, Edwin Santos, Sam Fernandez, and Emir Abuan. The squad is then reinforced by 40-and-under players Ivan Devero, Bart Demapan, Darwin Barbo, Manolo Manalo, and Lerio Pagarao.

8th Division, on the other hand, had a short-handed manpower (eight players) for its first match of the season. Masters players Brian Manabat, Chris Lansang, Amor Zapata, and brothers Dante and Jun Tabora joined forces with 40-and-under recruits Alex Lauron, Kelvin Fitial, and Dexter Tenorio. This year’s UFO caging allows each team to have two 40-and-under players and three masters on the court.

Despite its depleted lineup, 8th Division managed to take the early lead in the opener, 6-0, off Manabat’s 4 points and a pair of charities from Dante Tabora. However, midway in the first period, Ali’i Blue Haus asserted its might and had a 19-4 windup to establish a double-digit advantage, 24-12, after the opening 10 minutes of play.

Ali’i Blue Haus nearly used all its players in the first canto with its second stringers—Ed Diaz, Mendoza, Moises, Pagarao, and Demapan—providing the spark for the team to take control of the match.

Ali’i Blue Haus went on to keep its double-figure advantage in the next two quarters as its continued to distribute the wealth, while 8th Division clearly needed extra hands to keep up with the former.

Ahead by 14 after three quarters, 63-49, Ali’i Blue Haus was a bit complacent in the last period, allowing 8th Division to mount a comeback. Lauron, Fitial, Tenorio, and Jun Tabora worked together to slice the deficit down with the former’s deuce moving 8th Division within three. However, 8th Division fell short in the end, as Ali’i Blue Haus regrouped in the closing minutes and knocked in important free throws to avoid a total meltdown.

Esdrelon top-scored for Ali’i Blue Haus with his 19 points, while Pagarao chipped in 13, and the Diaz siblings contributed 12 apiece. Guiab, Moises, and Demapan combined for 20 more points for Ali’i Blue Haus.

Lauron paced 8th Division with his 21 markers, while Jun Tabora tallied 14, and Fitial contributed 12. Manabat and Tenorio also finished in double figures with 11 and 10, respectively.

Meanwhile, the UFO caging will start its two-game schedule per playing day tonight. In the first game at 6:30pm, PC Bargain/Visminda will take on Cavite, while in the second game at 8pm, Stephen’s Pawnshop/NMBA will collide against BSI-Blue Eagle/SMF. Matches in the UFO league will be played every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

Nine teams are vying for the league championship and the list also includes Save More/MIFICPA, Maplas/Akap Pinoy, and Armatech/MDX.

Ali’i Blue Haus 82 — Esdrelon 19, Pagarao 13, T. Diaz 12, E. Diaz 12, Guiab 9, Moises 6, Demapan 5, Barbo 4, Mendoza 2.

8th Division 77 — Lauron 21, J. Tabora 14, Fitial 12, Manabat 11, Tenorio 10, Lansang 5, D. Tabora 4.

Scoring by quarters: 24-12, 41-28, 63-49, 82-77.