Runnin’ Rebels snap skid

The Runnin’ Rebels are back on their feet, ending a six-game slide following a 98-95 victory over Quichocho Law Office in the 2008-2009 BANMI/Budweiser Basketball League Friday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The Runnin’ Rebels improved to a 2-6 record, while it was Quichocho’s turn to go on a skid, dropping two games in a row for a 3-5 record.

Behind by as much as eight points midway in the fourth, 86-78, Quichocho Law Office slowly caught up with the Runnin’ Rebels with Bonbon Cadagat, Sonny Lerio, and Larry Palero leading the rally.

But the Runnin’ Rebels still escaped with the win, as Lerio committed two errors and Quichocho Law Office missed its last two shots in the stretch.

A Denard Norita running jumper gave the Runnin’ Rebels a 96-94 lead, with less than a minute left in the game. Quichocho then lost its chance to tie the game, when Lerio tried to attack the basket, but was stripped of possession by Sylvan Teregeyo.

The Runnin’ Rebels went for a fastbreak play, but Cadagat made a defensive stop, blocking Jose Tumaquip’s layup, and tapping the ball to a teammate.

It was Quichocho’s opportunity to step on the pedal with Cadagat leading the break, but he decided at the last minute to kick the ball out to Lerio. Lerio then dribbled toward the middle and attacked the Runnin’ Rebels’ defense, anew. Again, he was unsuccessful, as he lost possession with Ben Lisua slightly tapping the ball. But Palero took the loose ball and gave it to Leo Itaas, who pulled up for a 10-footer from the left baseline and missed the shot.

The Runnin’ Rebels collared the rebound and Quichocho Law Office gave up two preemptive fouls in the ensuing plays with the last foul sending Tumaquip to the 15-foot line, with six seconds left on the clock.

Tumaquip made the first charity with the ball hitting nothing but the bottom of the net. But he muffed the second one and there was a battle for a rebound won by Teregeyo, who could not hang on to the ball, as he bumped into a Quichocho defender and fell on the floor.

Palero then picked up the leather and passed it to Lerio, who attempted a desperation shot from downtown and missed, preserving the victory for the Runnin’ Rebels.

Tumaquip paced the Runnin’ Rebels with 27 points, while Bobby Coldeen chipped in 23. They drilled two triples apiece in the third period, allowing the Runnin’ Rebels to seize control of the game after trailing at halftime, 48-46.

The duo combined for 23 of the Runnin’ Rebels 33 points in the third quarter, giving their team a 79-73 lead, entering the fourth quarter.

Cadagat led all scorers with 41 points.

In the first game, IT&E won via forfeit over Docomo Pacific, which had only three players showing up for the match.

IT&E now has a 6-2 record. Docomo dropped to a 2-6 slate, as it also lost its make-up game against Diamond Auto Fixers Thursday night, 95-90.

[B]Runnin’ Rebels 97[/B] – Tumaquip 27, Coldeen 23, Lisua 12, Norita 12, Teregeyo 9 L. Rangamar 7.

[B]Quichocho Law Office 95[/B] – Cadagat 41, Palero 12, Hugos 9, Lerio 8, Demapan 6, Moises 6, Capalad 5, Tagle 5, Pantaleon 2.
[B] Scorinby quarters:[/B] 29-20, 46-48, 79-72, 98-95.