Cavite/Andok’s takes first win

Cavite/Andok’s barged into the win column in the UFO Inter-Organization Basketball Friendship League 2011 Bud Cup after thumping NMBA/Mixed Blood, 101-79, on Tuesday night at the TSL Sports Complex.

Freddie Pelisamen finally showed the offensive prowess he used to display in previous local leagues, firing a season-high 53 points. He hit baskets from all corners, but made most of his living on fastbreak layups.

Despite Pelisamen’s hot shooting, Cavite could not break the game wide open, as it led in single digit in each of the first three quarters. Then in the fourth period, Mixed Blood finally gave in, allowing Cavite to pull away with the 22-point win.

The fourth canto began with Cavite on top by only eight, 66-58, and the lead ballooned to 13 after Pelisamen scored five straight points. The Cavite gunner had another string of points midway in the fourth for a total of 20 points in that canto. Pelisamen almost outgunned the entire NMBA/Mixed Blood crew, who tallied only 21 markers in the final canto against Cavite’s 35.

NMBA dropped to a 1-4 record, the same mark Cavite holds, putting the two teams in a tie for seventh place.

Mixed Blood stayed in the game against Cavite in the first period, falling behind by only five, 17-22. Randy Mungcal and Dennis Morales kept NMBA afloat, combining for nine points in the opening canto, while Pelisamen had 13 early markers.

Pelisamen continued to burn the hoops in the second canto, adding nine more points. Mungcal answered with 11 markers, as NMBA moved within three at the break, 38-41.

At the start of the second half, Pelisamen was still at it, scoring 10 of Cavite’s first 12 points and three more in the closing seconds of the third period. However, Cavite still failed to thwart the stubborn NMBA, which continued to lean on Mungcal and Morales to keep its hopes alive. Morales tallied eight straight markers at one point in the third, while Mungcal had three successive field goals.

Then in the fourth, the NMBA 1-2 punch ran out of steam, as Mungcal and Morales were held to one field goal each and scored them when the game was slowly slipping away from their hands. Mungcal and Morales finished with 24 and 21 points, respectively.

Cavite/Andok’s 101 – Pelisamen 53 Wesley 16, Camacho 7, Olaitiman 6, Artates 4, Muleta 4, Umali 2, Llagas 2.

NMBA/Mixed Blood 79 – Mungcal 24, Morales 21, Roque 6, Valiente 4, Acosta 4, Detera 3, Montes 2, Ito 2, Camacho 2.

Scoring quarters: 22-17, 41-38, 66-58, 101-79.