Legends move closer to finals

Chalan Kanoa Legends survived MDX Armatech’s late rally to pull off an 82-74 win in their playoff game in the 2009 Navy Hill Friendship Basketball League Monday night at the Garapan Basketball Court and move a win away from advancing to the finals.

Clutch baskets from Jun Tabora and end-game breaks saved the pennant champions Legends from an embarrassment. The Legends controlled the game early and led by as much as 15 points in the second quarter, 47-32, before Joseph Galulu, Leo Canedo, Martin Moreno, Ian Castro, and Bernard Montano teamed up in MDX’s second-half recovery.

Galulu’s floater moved MDX within two, 72-74, with less than two minutes left in the fourth quarter.

In the next Legends’ offensive set, Ronald Delos Reyes lost the leather, but Tabora was at the right place at the right time to pick up the loose ball and pulled up for a 10-footer.

MDX fumbled on the other end, returning the possession to Legends, who drew another basket from Tabora to widen the gap, 78-72, with 50 seconds left in the game.

MDX made another error in the inbound play, passing the ball to the wrong guy, the Legends’ Amor Zapata. The Chalan Kanoa point guard then went straight toward the basket, catching MDX’s defense napping. Zapata made the open layup, giving the Legends an 80-72 lead and ending Armatech’ chances for an upset.

The pennant champions need only to win against the Garapan Gigolos to gain the first finals ticket. If the Legends prevail, Gigolos and MDX Armatech will duel for the last finals seat.

Ed Palma anchored the Legends’ good start, canning two triples and scoring 10 points in the first quarter. Tabora and Delos Reyes combined for 10 first-quarter points, as the Legends took a 22-18 lead, going into the second period.

Tabora picked up where he left off, nailing eight more points and the Legends outgunned MDX, 25-14, to increase the lead to 15 at halftime, 47-32.

The Legends played a bit lax in the second half, allowing MDX to mount a comeback before Tabors’ baskets and Armatech’s errors saved the day for the pennant champions.

Tabora and Delos Reyes paced the Legends with 20 points apiece, while Palma chipped in 16.

Montano led MDX with his 23 points. Canedo and Moreno finished in double figures with 16 and 10 markers, respectively.

Legends 82 – Tabora 20, Delos Reyes 20, Palma 16, Manipon 6, Musni 6, Pablo 4, Zapata 3, Pepito 3, Hernandez 2, Domingo 2.

MDX Armatech 74 – Montano 23, Canedo 16, Martin 10, Galulu 6, Castro 6, Samson 5, Malasarte 4, Singca 2.

Scoring by quarters: 18-22, 47-32, 64-53, 82-74.