Konflikt slips past Satbahi in overtime

Konflikt eked out an 84-79 victory over Blue Haus Satbahi in overtime as the Garapan Basketball League IT&E Cup finally kicked off last Wednesday night at the Garapan Basketball Court.

Ivan Devero and J.R. Barrios scored four points apiece in the extension to lift Konflikt to a season-opening win. No Blue Haus Satbahi player scored more than two points in the extra five minutes of the match and the team was held to only three field goals.

The league opener was neck and neck at the end of the first period, 14-all, with Satbahi’s Elgene Mangali scoring six points and Konflikt connecting on a pair of three-pointers.

Then Satbahi pulled ahead at halftime, 33-29, thanks largely to the six markers of Marlon De Dios. Satbahi kept the pedal to the metal after the pause and stretched its lead to 54-46, heading into the fourth quarter. Budz Camacho led the surge with six points in the period.

Konflikt’s Elmer Esdrelon caught fire in the clutch and exploded with a trio of treys for 17 points in the fourth quarter that ended in a deadlock, 73-all.

Konflikt carried the momentum in the extension to pull off the comeback.

Esdrelon tallied 30 points in the game, while Bernard Aquino and Budz Camacho turned in 16 apiece for Satbahi.
[B] Runnin’ Rebels 80, Ol’Aces 79[/B]

Meanwhile in the second game, the Runnin’ Rebels fended off a fourth quarter rally by the Ol’Aces.

Both teams started slowly, as the Ol’Aces managed a slim 14-13 lead after 10 minutes of play. Mike Olaitiman paced the Ol’ Aces in the first quarter with his six points

The Rebels battled back and seized control at halftime, 40-32. Rodney Sacramento led the charge for the Rebels with eight points in the second quarter.

It went back and forth in the third period, but the Rebels hung on to a 61-54 advantage, heading into crunch time. Freddie Peliseman led the Ol’Aces in the third quarter with his 14 markers, while Kelvin Fitial managed eight points for the Runnin’ Rebels and received more support from his teammates to keep the squad in front.

The Ol’Aces pulled off a late surge in the fourth, as Tony Diaz came off the bench and scored 10 big points to go with eight more from Peliseman. However, they still fell a point short of forcing overtime.

Sahj Hossain canned six free throws in the fourth quarter to help seal the deal for the Runnin’ Rebels. Hossain led the Rebels with 21 points, while Peliseman finished with a game-high 31 in the loss.
[B] First Game

Konflikt 84[/B] – Esdrelon 30, Devero 16, Sablan 12, Barrios 7, Abuel 6, Berline 5, Tamayo 3, Joyner 2, Aquino 2.
[B] Blue Haus Satbahi 79[/B] – Aquino 16, Camacho 16, Talania 13, Mangali 11, Peredo 9, De Dios 8, Manalo 2.

Runnin’ Rebels 80[/B] – Hossain 21, Fitial 16, Sacramento 12, Ogumoro 11, Hambros 9, Litulumar 8, Lisua 3.
[B] Ol’Aces 79[/B] – Pelisamen 31, T. Diaz 17, Olaitiman 9, E. Diaz 8, Z. Diaz 6, Van Buren 4, Kenty 2, P. Camacho 2
[B] Scoring by quarters:[/B] 13-14, 40-32, 61-54, 80-79.