Docomo, IT&E regain form

Docomo and IT&E returned to their winning ways after downing separate foes in the 2008-2009 BANMI/Budweiser Basketball League Wednesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Docomo played in the first game and outlasted Runnin’ Rebels, 76-73, while IT&E pounded Quichocho Law Office in the fourth quarter en route to a 107-90 victory.

IT&E, which bowed to Ol’Aces Monday night, 94-102, now has a 7-3 record, booting out the Ol’Aces (6-3) from second place. Docomo snapped its four-game losing skid, improving to a 3-6 slate and tying Quichocho Law Office to fifth to sixth place in the team standings.

Docomo led from the opening tip and almost wasted an 11-point lead in the third quarter when Denard Norita, Robert Coldeen, Jr., and Jose Tumaquip teamed up for the Runnin’ Rebels’ rally in the fourth quarter.

Two free throws from James Villacrusis and one each from David Palacios and Joe Villacrusis in the closing seconds of the game ended Runnin’ Rebels’ repeated comeback bids.

James Villacrusis top-scored for Docomo with 20 points and added 11 rebounds. Christopher Paul also had a double-double with 15 markers and 21 boards.

Runnin’ Rebels dropped to a 2-7 slate and remained at the bottom of the team standings.

In the second game, IT&E waxed hot from downtown in the fourth quarter turning a 73-70 third-quarter lead to a 17-point win.

IT&E connected on six triples in the payoff period, as it outgunned Quichocho, 34-20.

Wowie Abuel buried three triples, Gyles Ruluked canned two, and Bernardo Montano made one.

Quichocho drilled two early triples in the fourth period, one each from Ernie Moises and Bonbon Cadagat, but that was the best it could muster.

IT&E had six of its nine players scoring in double figures. Andres “Jhun” Estolas Jr. fired 19 markers, Peter Mendiola chipped in 17, Kae Bernardo and Abuel had 16 apiece, and Ruluked and Montano added 15 and 11, respectively.

Sonny Lerio led Quichocho with 24 points, but he was held to only two points in the fourth quarter. Only two Quichocho players made more than one fieldgoal in the final canto with Cadagat scoring five points and Mel Capalad nailing four.

Docomo 76[/B] – Ja. Villacrusis 20, Paul 15, Palacios 12, Fitial 12, Jo. Villacrusis 5, Mendez 4.

IT&E 107[/B] – Estolas 19, Mendiola 17, Bernardo 16, Abuel 16, Ruluked 15, Montano 11, Mercurio 9, Artates 4.
[B] Quichocho Law Office 90[/B] – Lerio 24, Jugos 17, Cadagat 12, Palero 11, Moises 10, Capalad 4, Demapan 4, Doronilla 3, Tagle 2, Pantaleon 2.
[B] Scoring by quarters:[/B] 22-25, 49-43, 73-70, 107-90.