Miller Lite Final Four cast complete

The semifinal cast in the 4th Miller-Lite Friendly Invitational Basketball League were completed after last weeks games at the Gualo Rai Basketball Court.

Cargo Express-Seabridge made it first to the semis after knocking off Joe’s Bar-VFW Post 3457 Hoopaholics, 78-73, last Thursday, while Armatech followed suit after pulling off an upset over Blue Haus, 96-81, in the late night match.

Completing the Final Four cast were Hanwa-World Resort, which routed the Lions’ Club Archers, 70-57, and Soul Jazz, which downed host team Pacific Trading-Miller-Lite, 80-65, in the second pairing last Saturday.

Armatech and Cargo Express were scheduled to face in the first semis game last night, but the match was rained-out. The World Resort-Soul Jazz semis tiff was also called off and the two cancelled games will be played tomorrow. The semifinals will be a double-elimination affair.

In Saturday’s opener, Rex Yabut paced the Archers’ with eight points to lift his team to a 16-13 edge in the first period.

Banjo Basila answered with eight markers in the second quarter, as World Resort rallied back and grabbed a 34-32 halftime lead. Then his teammate, Wowie Abuel, took over after the break and fired 10 points for their 58-48 lead at the end of the third. Basila delivered five more markers in the fourth, including three important free throws to seal the deal. The World Resort scoring duo combined for 49 points, while Yabut managed 15 for the Archers.

In the second game, Soul Jazz jumped ahead early and never looked back.

Freddie Pelisamen and Gyles Ruluked combined for 15 points in the opening quarter for Soul Jazz’s 20-9 lead. Ruluked added eight in the second as his team kept its distance at the break, 36-28.

Miller Lite looked flustered but connected with a couple of early threes at the start of the second half. However the moment lasted just briefly, as Soul Jazz regrouped later and regained control in the third quarter, 55-46, behind Pelisamen’s 12 points. Finally, in the fourth quarter, Soul Jazz pulled away.

Pelisamen had a game-high 30 points, while Bon Tamayo logged 21 in the loss.

Meanwhile, in the first quarterfinal game last Thursday, Cargo Express had a balance offense in the opening salvo and took a 22-17 advantage. It retained the upper hand at the break, 37-33, off Kelvin Fitial’s seven straight points.

The Hoopaholics battled back in the second half and grabbed the lead, 59-52, thanks largely to the combined 20 points of James Villacrusis and Mel Manibusan. However, Cargo Express held on in the end and hit clutch free throws for the win.

Lerio Pagarao led Cargo Express with 20 points, while Villacrusis had 24.

In the second match, Armatech fought from behind the entire match and stole the game in the fourth quarter.

After falling behind by seven at halftime, 46-39, Elmer Esdrelon drained four treys in the third quarter to move Armatech within four, 64-68.

Armatech kept it rolling and drilled six key free throws in the fourth, while Jomary Tumaquip delivered nine points off the bench, including two late triples and a free throw to steal the win.

Esdrelon finished with 33 markers.

[B]THURSDAY

First Game

Cargo Express 78[/B] – Pagarao 20, Jung 16, Fitial 15, Lerio 13, L. Itaas 10, Ritual 2, Rotap 2

[B]Joe’s Hoopaholics 73[/B] – Villacrusis 24, Manibusan 12, Mendez 12, Diaz 12, Cabrera 9, Lee 4.
[B] Scoring by quarters:[/B] 22-17, 37-33, 52-59, 78-73
[B] Second Game

Armatech 86[/B] – Esdrelon 33, Devero 20, Ngeskebei 12, Berline 6, Rebuyon 6, Moreno 5, Galulu 2, Malasarte 2.
[B] Blue Haus 81[/B] – Talania 20, E. Santos 18, Lisua 15, Tumaquip 11, Camacho 11, Fernandez 4, Olivos 2.
[B] Scoring by quarters:[/B] 15-26, 39-46, 68-64, 86-81.

[B]SATURDAY

First Game

Hanwa World Resort 70[/B] – Abuel 25, Basila 24, Vinas 10, Ramos 7, Wabinga 2, Felipe 2.
[B] Archers 57[/B] – Yabut 15, David 12, Usi 12, Mendoza 9, Miranda 4, Diyco 3, Cruz 2.

[B]Scoring by quarters:[/B] 13-16, 32-34, 58-48, 70-57.

[B]Second Game

Soul Jazz 80[/B] – Pelisamen 30, Ruluked 21, Je. Mina 8, Aquino 7, Inos 6, Jr. Mina 4, Johanes 3, Apelo 1.
[B] PTC Miller Lite 65[/B] -– Tamayo 21, Reyes 9, Tagle 9, Lauron 8, Trajano 6, Capalad 5, Garon 4, Dayrit 3.

[B]Scoring by quarters:[/B] 20-9, 36-28, 55-46, 80-65.