Docomo, Diamond draw first blood

Docomo Pacific caught IT&E out of sync, while Diamond Auto Care slowed down the Runnin’ Rebels en route to winning the opening games in the playoff round of the 2009 BANMI/Budweiser Basketball League Monday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Coming off a weeklong rest, IT&E was sluggish in its return to action, obviously missing the services of Kae Bernardo and Wowie Abuel, who were on Tinian playing in another league.

Docomo also missed Ryan Sanciangco, but Mark Wallace and Kelvin Fitial stepped up early, combining for 20 of the team’s total points in the first half to take a 29-15 lead.

David Palacios and Mel Manibusan, who rarely score in double figures in the regular season, also contributed in Docomo’s offense, finishing with 13 and 10 markers, respectively.

With Abuel out, IT&E was left with only one offensive threat from outside in Sahnee Ranola, who notched 18 points, but still could not score in streaks. It did not help IT&E that Jun Estolas struggled in his game, making only two points.

Docomo’s balance offense allowed the team to lead by as much as 15 points in the fourth period, 78-65, midway in that canto before IT&E moved within four, with 47 seconds left in the game.

IT&E could have cut the lead to two after a Jon Artates steal in the inbound play. But Ruluked, who received Artates’ pass, opted to kick the ball out to Ranola, instead of going strong to the basket. Ranola ended up chasing the ball to the left sideline and lost the possession.

Three free throws from Wallace sealed the win for Docomo, which moved two victories away from nailing a finals seat. Docomo’s next foe in the double-elimination playoffs is the CNMI Nationals. The Nationals-Docomo tiff will be played tonight at 8pm.

In the second game, Diamond Auto Care dominated the Runnin’ Rebels from start to finish to win its playoff debut.

Jawn Joyner top-scored for the Auto Fixers with 20 points, making timely jumpers that foiled the Runnin’ Rebels’ repeated comeback bids.

Errol Peredo and Bruce Berline chipped in 14 and 11 markers, respectively.

Only Jose Tumaquip finished in double figures for the Runnin’ Rebels, drilling 22 points.

[B]First Game

Docomo 88[/B] – Wallace 21, Fitial 20, Palacios 13, Ja. Villacrusis 10, Manibusan 10, Jo. Villacrusis 5, Lee 4, Diaz 2, Paul 1.

[B]IT&E 81[/B] – De Guzman 25, Ranola 18, Ruluked 11, Mendiola 8, De Dios 6, Montano 3, Estolas 2, Mercurio 2, Artates 1.

[B]Scoring by quarters:[/B] 29-15, 42-35, 64-56, 88-81.

[B]Second Game

Diamond Auto Care 72[/B] – Joyner 20, Peredo 14, Berline 11, Fernandez 8, Muleta 4, Gamboa 3, Talania 2, Brostrom 2, Camacho 2.

[B]Runnin’ Rebels 61[/B] – Tumaquip 22, Teregeyo 7, L. Rangamar 7, Norita 6, Coldeen 4, Iguel 4, Lisua 3, Kenty 3.

[B]Scoring by quarters:[/B] 20-12, 40-27, 54-45, 72-61.