Ali’i Konflikt returns to finals

 No doubt, MAFEA/Ali’i Konflikt had Cavite/Andok’s numbers in their semifinal match last Sunday night at the TSL Sports Complex.

Days after its quarterfinals victory was tainted with controversy, Ali’i Konflikt defeated Cavite convincingly, 108-88, to earn the second finals seat in the UFO Inter-Organization Basketball Friendship League 2011 Bud Cup.

Ali’i Konflikt, which pulled off a 79-77 triumph over VisMinda/Satbahi off J.R. Barrios’ contentious layup in the last .5 second to move into the semis, will defend its title against unbeaten Proa tonight at 8pm.

The championship will be a one-game finals.

Cavite and Ali’i Konflikt felt each other out in the first quarter before the former began throwing jabs in the next two periods and then delivered the killer blows in the fourth to knock off its foe.

The opening canto ended with Cavite on top, 24-22, but it slowly lost grip of the lead midway in the second frame when Ali’i Konflikt started speeding up the game. With Ali’i Konflikt running a high-octane offense, it outgunned Cavite in the second canto, 31-17, for a 53-41 halftime advantage.

Cavite held back in its scoring in the second canto with Freddie Pelisamen limited to two field goals after scoring seven points in the first period. No Cavite player made more than two field goals in the second quarter and when coach Boy Garcia turned to his bench, he didn’t get a response.

In contrasts, four Ali’i Konflikt players came off the bench and delivered some points for the team in the second period. Ali’i Konflikt’s balanced offense continued in the third period, while Cavite played catch up. Garcia’s wards managed to move within seven, 65-72, but Ali’i Konflikt closed out the quarter with a 5-0 windup capped by Joemar Tumaquip’s buzzer-beating banked triple.

After three quarters, Ali’i Konflikt was still on top by double digits, 77-65, and the lead ballooned to as much as 20 early in the fourth. Ali’i Konflikt had a 10-2 run in the first two minutes of the fourth period punctuated by Tumaquip’s floater off a head-and-shoulder fake against Mike Olaitiman. Cavite sued for time, but the lull failed to change the complexion of the game, as Ali’i Konflikt wisely used the clock while still hitting timely baskets in the remaining five minutes.

Cavite then threw in the towel at the 1:54 mark with Ali’i Konflikt ahead, 102-83, when Garcia pulled out his starting five. Ali’i Konflikt did the same, giving its second and third stringers the opportunity to finish the game.

Before recalling its starters to the bench, Ali’i Konflikt took possession for four straight times, as they hustled for the loose ball after successive misses. That has been the story for the defending champion as it was quick to run after the ball and all other aspects of their game fell into places, while Cavite was lost and had to rely heavily on Pelisamen.

Pelisamen had a game-high 28 points, but he could not hit baskets in succession as two and sometimes three Ali’i Konflikt defenders hounded him.

John Artates, Pando Muleta, and Peter Camacho also scored in double figures, but were not consistent on offense in the second half. However, the biggest missing link on Cavite’s offense was Joy Dayrit, who was held to three points. Dayrit had 14 in their quarterfinals win over the Hoopaholics and averaged almost double figures in the regular season. Cavite’s 88 points against Ali’i Konflikt was a far cry from its 127 markers in its 42-point demolition of the Hoops. Cavite had 10 triples against the Hoops, but canned only three versus Ali’i Konflikt.

Ivan Devero paced Ali’i Konflikt with 27 points, while Elmer Esdrelon and Brandon Talania chipped in 18 and 12. All the 11 players Ali’i Konflikt used in the game made it to the scoreboard.

MAFEA/ Ali’i Konflikt 108 – De Vero 27, Esdrelon 18, Talania 12, Tumaquip 9, Barrios 8, Camacho 7, Aquino 5, Mendoza 4, Cruz 4, Guiab 4.

Cavite/Andok’s 88 – Pelisamen 28, Artates 14, Muleta 11, Camacho 10, Wesley 9, Olaitiman 6, Llagas 4, Dayrit 3, Umali 3.

Scoring by quarters: 22-24, 53-41, 77-65, 108-88.