Armatech eliminates KB Market

Armatech’s Dindo Pablo pulls up for a jumper against two Maplas defenders during their earlier game in the masters division of the San Antonio caging at the San Antonio court. Armatech is in the semifinals of the inaugural league. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Armatech shut the semis door on KB Market after recording an easy 75-59 win in their playoff game in the masters division of the 2015 San Antonio Community Action Network Basketball League last Tuesday night at the San Antonio court.

The third-seeded Armatech took early control of the win-or-go home match en route to the 16-point victory that gave the team the second semis berth in the division. The seventh-ranked VM Production bagged the first semis slot following a win via forfeiture against the second-seeded Blue Haus and incidentally the former will face Armatech in one of the two semis matches in the masters competition. The winners in the MJD Enterprise-CES Electronics and GMJ/IKKI-Erika’s Catering tiff will duel in the other semis game.

Armatech’s semis stint was made possible by its twin-digit advantage against KB Market right at the end of the first period, 24-9. Shooter James Abuy fired up early for Armatech, as he knocked in 11 of his 15 points in the opening canto, while four of his teammates also hit the board in the first 10 minutes of play.

KB Market, on the other hand, drilled only four field goals in the first frame with only Peter Camacho nailing more than 2 points in his squad’s lethargic start.

KB Market picked up its scoring in the second quarter with Camacho drawing help from his teammates this time. However, KB Market could not stop Armatech’s key players from scoring, too. The towering Bruce Berline asserted his might in the paint and contributed 9 points, while Martin Moreno, Bong Malasarte, and Haejun Park also helped the team’s cause with Abuy going cold to keep Armatech’s double-digit advantage at the break, 43-29.

Armatech continued to counter every basket from KB Market in the third quarter and this time it was Moreno who led the team’s offense to stretch their lead to 19, 63-43, entering the final canto.

The comfortable lead allowed Armatech to slow down a bit on the offensive end in the fourth frame, but still KB Market could not close the gap, paying the price for falling deep in the hole in the first quarter.

Moreno top-scored for Armatech with his 21 points, while Berline chipped in 19. Elias Rangamar had 13 for the eliminated KB Market, while Camacho added 12.

Armatech 75 – Moreno 21, Berline 19, Abuy 15, Gabaldon 5, Pablo 4, Park 4, Malasarte 3, Duenas 3.

KB Market 59 – Rangamar 13, Camacho 12, Lansang 10, Garcia 6, Ayuyu 6, Renguul 5, Anasan 4, Morales 3.

Scoring by quarters: 24-9, 43-29, 62-43, 75-59.