Buds Brothers knock out Life Force

Buds Brothers eliminated Life Force in the 2011 Blue Haus Invitational Basketball League after pulling off 75-74 win last Saturday at the Gualo Rai Basketball Court.

Buds Brothers improved to a 2-4 record in Pool B, while Life Force finished the season with a dismal 1-5 slate.

P.J. Castro gave Buds Brothers the crucial win after splitting his free throws in the closing seconds of the game.

Life Force lost the make-or-break game despite having a good start in the knockout match.

Oliver Santiago led Life Force with 10 points in the opening period, while Marlo Ibanez added seven, lifting their team to a 25-20, lead.
Then Castro mounted a comeback in the second quarter and buried two from downtown to finish with 21 points at the break and put his team in front, 49-43.

Castro sat out in the third and Life Force’s defense buckled down after the break, containing Buds to just eight markers to pull with a basket, 55-57, entering the final canto.

However, Castro returned at crunch time and managed to lead his team to victory.

Life Force’s Chris Sablan nailed a clutch trey that tied the game at 74-all, with just five ticks left on the clock. Then Castro took the ensuing inbound pass to their front court and made it to the free throw line, where he got one to drop. Castro finished with a game-high 35 points, while Ibanez had 20 for Life Force.

Meanwhile, Jacem Printing downed Mawati in last Wednesday’s nightcap.

Mawati took an early 18-16 lead in the first quarter off four treys by Julian Renia.

Then Jacem erupted in the second quarter for a 38-30 halftime swing, as Josh Kiyoshi led the charge with 11 points in that period.

Mawati pulled within a possession, 45-48, after the break as it held Jacem to just 10 points in the third quarter. However, Jacem maintained its lead, as teams traded baskets in the fourth quarter.

Buds Brothers 75[/B] – Castro 35, Saplan 9, Tabora 8, Javier 8, Ramos 5, Brillo 4, Towan 4, Sumina 2.
[B] Life Force 74[/B] – Ibanez 20, Ganaden12, Santiago 12, Ordonez 8, Cabaddu 7, Leomo 6, C Sablan 3, Buniag 2, Cruz 2.

Jacem 71[/B] – Kiyoshi 15, Manalo 11, Mateo 11, Olivos 8, Aurelio 6, Litulumar 6, Guinto 5, Jose 5, Cadag 2, Echaluce 2.
[B] Mawati 67[/B] – Renia 19, Taractac 11, Salem 9, Tiribio 8, Enriquez 8, Avila 4, Dela Cruz 4, B. Dalusong 2.