X-Terminators force do-or-die Game 3

Pennant champion Advance X-Terminators lived to fight another day, after surviving repeated rallies by Ol’Aces to force a third and deciding game in the Inaugural FMI Inter-Color Basketball League.

In front of a good-size Sunday crowd at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium, the Bug Busters withstood another scoring explosion by Ol’Aces hitman Fred Pelisamen and rebounded nicely from Thursday’s Game 1 disaster by taking Game 2 to the tune of 123-114.

It was not an easy win—to say the least—for Advance X-Terminators as Ol’Aces battled back from several double-digit deficits and even drew within four points of their lead before crucial breakaway baskets by Jonathan Lim and Edsel Mendoza finally sealed the deal.

Advance X-Terminators, which lost Game 1 in a humiliating score of 93-129, tried to win the Game 2 in the first quarter, as it raced to a 12-point lead before sputtering in the final couple of minutes to allow Ol’Aces to square it all up at 22-all going into the second.

Pelisamen—held to four points by John Artates in the first—finally found his rhythm in the second, scoring on a variety of slashing drives to the basket, pull-up jumpers, and free throws to wind up with 19 in the second.

Lim tried his best to mirror the former national cager’s production, as the Rotary standout erupted for his own 14 markers to help Advance X-Terminators to a slim 53-49 spread at the half.

While Ol’Aces continued to be a one-man show in the third with Pelisamen again heating up with 15 points, the Bug Busters this time spread the wealth and it paid huge dividends as they increased their lead to nine points, 86-75, heading into the fourth and final quarter.

It’s not as if Pelisamen was being selfish with ball, as Ol’Aces’ interior game was hampered most of the quarter with the double-team on 6’3” Abong Camacho, who also did not help his cause by picking up his fourth foul.

It was still anybody’s ballgame in the payoff period until Camacho was whistled for his fifth and final foul to the delight of the Advance X-Terminators bench.

With the menacing center ousted, Advance X-Terminators made hay while the sun shined and quickly built up the lead to twin digits.

But before organizers could book the Oleai Sports Complex for a third and deciding game, Ol’Aces came rushing back on the very capable hands of Pelisamen, who hit four consecutive triples to help trim the lead to four points, with a little over two minutes left in the contest.

Advance X-Terminators only were able to breath a big sigh of relief when consecutive turnovers by the Oleai team led to four quick baskets by Lim and Mendoza that spurred the team to the nine-point win.

Lim—who was held to 14 points in their Game 1 loss—led the victors with 39 points, while Mendoza and playmaker Andres “Jhun” Estolas Jr. backed the youngster with 23 and 20 markers, respectively.

Pelisamen hit the half-century mark for the second straight game in the best-of-three finals, erupting for 52 points. Jericho Cruz and Peter Iguel chipped in 20 and 13 with Camacho tossing in 12 before hitting the showers.

Game 3 is set on Thursday, July 17, 8pm following Game 2 of the 40-and-over championship scheduled to start at 6:30pm.

And speaking of the 40-and-over championship, GEC Pawnshop drew first blood on Sunday’s second game following a 106-96 hosing down of pennant winners Taga Warriors.

In the first game of the weekend tripleheader, Bank of Saipan took home the 40-and-over third place trophy after winning via forfeit against a no-show CTSI squad.

Bank of Saipan wins via default against CTSI

GEC Pawnshop 106 – Palero 33, Cacho 28, Ranola 18, Casabuena 9, Peredo 6, Viola 4, Olivos 4, Buenabajo 2, Peleno 2.

Taga Warriors 96 – Delos Reyes 49, Nicdao 16, Cosino 13, Pineda 11, Conti 3, Garon 2, Dizon 2.

Scoring by quarters: 20-15, 38-37, 72-59, 106-96.

Referees: Gilbert Espinosa and Eric Artillaga.

Advance X-Terminators 123 – Lim 39, Mendoza 23, Estolas 20, Ruluked 17, Fitial 7, Capalad 5, Artates 4, Gamboa 3, Barrios 3, Dayrit 2.

Ol’Aces 114 – Pelisamen 52, Cruz 20, Iguel 13, Camacho 12, Diaz 7, Rangamar 5, Lizama 5.

Scoring by quarters: 22-22, 53-49, 86-75, 123-114.

Referees: Gabriel White, Arnold Mesa, and Jess Pabula.