Blowout wins in UFO opening

Cabalen/Noni and UPAA/Hoopaholics followed VisMinda/Satbati’s lead after routing separates foes in the last two games played during the opening day of the UFO Inter-Organization Basketball Friendship League 2011 Bud Cup at the TSL Sports Complex Sunday night.

Cabalen/Noni played in the second match and crushed NMBA/Mix Blood, 114-64. In the third and last game, the Hoopaholics also cruised to an easy win over MDX/Blue Haus, 78-53. Earlier in the opening game at the Civic Center Basketball Court, VisMinda/Satbahi stunned defending champion MAFEA/Ali’i Konflikt, 87-74.

A jackrabbit start gave Cabalen-Noni a big 33-4 lead after the first 10 minutes of play.

Kae Bernardo asserted his might in the paint early on, knocking in 11 points, while Noni new recruits Lerio Pagarao and Rex Yabut combined for 11 markers.

Jeff Pagarao scored all of NMBA’s four points in the opening quarter and with only him and Dennis Morales consistently making it to the scoreboard, there was no way the team could get out of a deep hole.

Lerio Pagarao finished with 25 points in his debut with Cabalen-Noni, which is composed of the core of last year’s runner-up team MDX-Chow Queen. Bernardo chipped in 21, while Banjo Basilla and another recruit, Gilbert Miranda, added 14 and 10, respectively.

Jeff Pagarao led NMBA’s losing cause with his 21 points.

In the third game, after a close first period, the Hoopaholics held MDX/Blue Haus to only four field goals in the second quarter to take a 38-24 halftime lead and gain full control of the match..

Dave Sablan and James Villacrusis teamed up in the Hoopaholics’ uprising in the second period as they combined for 14 points. The Hoops outgunned Blue Haus in the second canto, 19-8.

Blue Haus trimmed the deficit to as low as nine in the third period, 46-37, as the Hoops relaxed a bit. However, the Hoopaholics stretched the lead to double digits anew in the fourth quarter as their starters returned to the game.

Sablan top-scored for the Hoops with 19, while Kelvin Fitial and Villacrusis finished with 16 and 13, respectively.

Meanwhile, three more teams will play their first game tonight. At the 6:30pm match, Bayani/Mobil will take on Cavite/Andoks Grill, while Namfrel/Proa will challenge MAFEA/Ali’i Konflikt at 8:30pm.

VisMinda/Satbahi 87 – Barbo 16, Peredo 13, Paraiso 12, Sison 11, Mangali 9, Eclevia 7, Santos 5, Aquino 4, De Dios 4, Manalo 4, Camacho 2.

MAFEA Ali’i Konflikt 74 – Joyner 18, Devero 14, Tumaquip 14, Esdrelon 8, Guiab 7, Barrios 5, Duhon 4, Talania 4.

Scoring by quarters: 17-17, 42-35, 60-53, 87-74.

Cabalen/Noni 114 – Pagarao 25, Bernardo 21, Basilla 14, Miranda 10, Tamayo 8, Yabut 8, Bahillo 8, Pantaleon 6, Demapan 4, Abuel 2.

NMBA/Mix Blood 64 – Pagarao 31, Morales 19, Mungcal 4, Montes 3, Camacho 2, Timbal 2, Ito 2.

Scoring by quarters: 33-4, 51-24, 81-44, 114-64.

UPAA/Hoopaholics 78 – D. Sablan 19, Fitial 16, Villacrusis 13, Manibusan 8, Mendez 6, Cabrera 5, Lee 4, Diaz 2, Villagomez 2.

MDX/Blue Haus 53 – Babauta 17, Lauron 11, E. Diaz 7, Palacios 6, Z. Diaz 4, Tenorio 3, Galulu 3, Mina 2.

Scoring by quarters: 19-15, 38-24, 48-37, 78-53.