Fresco, Cell Pro, Inchcape still alive in Blue Haus caging

C Bracket’s Fresco Saipan and Cell Pro along with A Bracket’s Inchcape advanced to the third round of the Blue Haus Invitational Basketball League playoffs after last weekend’s matchups held at the Gualo Rai Basketball Court.

On Sunday, Fresco Saipan defeated Jacem Printing 80-76, while prior to the late tiff Sherwin Williams was leading NVM, 29-18, at the half, but the game was suspended due to time constraints.

Last Friday, Cell Pro defeated GPPC, 72-67; while Inchcape routed Pacific Postal, 81-61, with a big fourth quarter push.

In Sunday’s match, Jacem’s Brandon Auleriuo caught fire early with a couple of long balls for eight points to give his team an early 18-11 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Fresco’s Jerry Mabini, however, answered with 10 markers in the second period to go with a pair of treys by teammate Jay-Ar Concepcion that allowed Fresco to enter the halftime break ahead, 38-30.

Concepcion buried two more three-balls in the third quarter that helped maintain a 56-47 margin for his side heading into the payoff period.

Jacem did not go quietly and connected with two late 3-pointers for a late comeback attempt, but Fresco’s Edwin Camacho came off the bench for 11 big points in the clutch and his team converted four pressure-packed free throws to secure the victory and advance to the next round.

Mabini and Concepcion combined for 42 points, while Jacem’s Aulerio managed 18 in the loss.

In Friday’s opening game, Cell Pro jumped out to an early 12-point lead, 22-10, thanks largely to 14 points from Roger Herrera.

Cell Pro’s defense remained strong in the second period as it pulled away and led, 39-23, at intermission.

Cell Pro’s Dick Tibayan paced the squad with six points in the second quarter.

GPPC postured a comeback in the third quarter as the team earned 12 points from the charity stripe in the period.

That allowed GPPC to trim its deficit to eight, 45-53, heading into the final canto; Cell Pro’s Herrera added six markers in the third quarter.

GPPC remained on the heels of its opponents, but Cell Pro milked the clock and drained four free throws in the final minute to secure the victory.

Herrera finished with a team-high 20 points, while GPPC’s Alex Ocampo led all scorers with 24.

In Friday’s late match, Inchcape started slow and trailed Pacific Postal, 18-13, in the opening period.

Pacific Postal’s Rommel Usi carried the torch with nine points. Inchcape’s offense continued to stall into the second quarter as Pacific Postal maintained a 33-29 margin at the half.

Then after the break, Inchcape erupted to claim the lead, 50-48, heading into the final period.

Inchcape buried a trio of 3-pointers right out of the gate that kept a lid on Pacific Postal on the defensive end.

Inchcape then saved its best for last, blowing past its rival at the end. Ian Castro led the late surge with 15 points in the clutch.

Castro finished with a game-high 26 points, while Usi was shut down in the second half, but still led Pacific Postal with 15 markers in defeat.

Fresco 80 – Mabini 22, Concepcion 20, Camacho 16, Lansang 8, Hernandez 6, Santos 4, Rivera 2, Zhe 2.

NVM 76 – Aulerio 18, Guinto 15, DLGuerrero 8, Manalo 8, Mateo 6, Olivos 5, Arzadan 3, Litulumar 2.

Scoring by quarters: 11-18, 38-30, 56-47, 80-76.

Cell Pro 72 – Herrera 20, Itaas 19, Ritual 9, Tibayan 8, Hernandez 8, Loste 3, Norita 2, Rotap 2.

GPPC 67 – Ocampo 24, Mungcal 15, Tolentino 10, Sampang 6, Averas, 4, Rivera 3, Timbal 3, Garilo 2.

Scoring by quarters: 22-10, 39-23, 53-45, 72-67.

Inchcape 81 – Castro 26, Miranda 16, Del Rosario 11, DLGuerrero 10, Guinto 10, Villasan 3, Buenabajo 2, Echavez 2.

Pacific Postal 61 – R. Usi 15, Bicera 9, M. Usi 9, Acosta 8, Aque 7, Agbalog 6, Claveria 5, Bautista 2.

Scoring by quarters: 13-18, 29-33, 50-48, 81-61.