Batang Bear Brand, Silencer advance

The Silencer’s Kelvin Fitial, left, tries to dribble past the defense of Spigen’s Bruce Berline during the fourth quarter of their playoff game in the IT&E-sponsored Ali’i Blue Haus caging last Wednesday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.
(Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Batang Bear Brand and the Silencer eased their way to the semifinals of the 2nd Ali’i Blue Haus Invitational Basketball League after dominating their respective playoff opponents last Wednesday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

Batang Bear Brand took the first Final Four seat following a 93-74 triumph over Vendetta in the curtain-raiser, while the Silencer also advanced after topping Spigen in the second match, 84-68.

Angelo Fernando, who missed the Silencer’s last game (lost to Batang Bear Brand, 89-80,) in the regular season, was back in action against Spigen and made his presence felt in their easy win after firing 26 points. Kelvin Fitial also stepped up, chipping in 20 markers—a far cry from his 6 points in their defeat to Batang Bear Brand last Saturday.

Fernando knocked in three triples and 11 points in the second quarter, turning the Silencer’s 22-18 lead to a double-digit advantage at the break, 45-32. Fitial, on the other hand, scored the Silencer’s last 5 points in the pivotal second canto for their baker’s dozen margin.

Fitial and Fernando continued to do the damage for the Silencer in the second half, while Spigen failed to counter with its No.1 scorer Lerio Pagarao missing the start of the single-elimination playoffs.

Without its main gunner, Spigen fell behind by as much as 23 in the third period, 45-68, and midway in the final canto the game was already decided with the Silencer still holding on to a double-digit spread.

With the win, the Silencer set up a semis showdown against the victor of the Black Mamba-Team Sawi match, which will be played this weekend.

Meanwhile, the top-ranked Batang Bear Brand also gained momentum in the second quarter en route to a 19-point triumph over the last seeded Vendetta.

Ahead by only 4 after the first period, 24-20, Hal Spott, Ron Gamboa, and Elmer Esdrelon teamed up for 18 of Batang Bear Brand’s 22 points in the second frame to up their lead to 46-32 at halftime.

Spott and company then kept going in the second half with the burly center cherry-picking in the paint to widen the gap and leave no room for a Vendetta comeback.

Vendetta, which made the playoff cut after making a late push in the regular season as it won its last five games, failed to mount a rally this time as it played sans shooter Ed Pangelinan.

Spott finished with 31 points, while Gamboa and Esdrelon contributed 25 and 14, respectively. James Dela Cruz had 22 markers on a losing effort for Vendetta.

With Vendetta out of the picture, Batang Bear Brand will next attempt to eliminate either Tropang Ridhors or White Haus to gain a finals berth. Tropang Ridhors and White Haus will duel in a win-or-go home match this weekend.

First Game
Batang Bear Brand 93 — Spott 31, Gamboa 25, Esdrelon 14, Ariar 13, Achas 4, Che 4, Lansang 2.
Vendetta 74 — Dela Cruz 22, Castro 18, Libuw 18, Sablan 9, Tenorio 7.
Scoring by quarters: 24-20, 46-32, 62-51, 93-74.

Second Game
Silencer 84 — Fernando 26, Fitial 20, Zapata 8, Estores 8, Usi 8, Culala 6, Arreza 4.
Spigen 68 — Tibayan 14, Berline 10, Tobias 10, Flores 10, Aniciete 6, Cortez 5, Umali 5, Sanciangco 3.
Scoring by quarters: 22-18, 45-32, 68-45, 84-68.