Proa, FGC arrange finals clash

FGC advanced to the finals of the Garapan Basketball League-IT&E Cup after stunning erstwhile undefeated pennant champion Konflikt-IT&E, 94-87, Monday night at the Garapan Basketball Court.

FGC will meet second-ranked Proa in Garapan tonight at 7pm. Proa wore down Mobil, 96-73, in the first semifinal pairing.

Notably, Mobil advanced to the semifinals after upsetting Blue Haus-Satbahi, 73-67, last Sunday night.

In addition, the regular season awards will be presented during halftime of tonight’s match.

Game 2 is slated for 7pm on Friday with Game 3, if necessary, taking place at 7pm on Monday, Dec. 26.

Proa worked out to an early 19-15 edge in the opening 10 minutes of Monday’s curtain raiser, connecting with a couple of 3-pointers out of the gate.

Proa’s Joe Villacrusis sank one of them and tallied seven markers in the first quarter, which was complimented by a late five-point string from teammate Marvin Rabauliman.

Proa then trudged ahead, 52-32, at halftime, sinking four more three-balls in the second quarter, one of which by Keoni Chariton who went on to score 11 in the period.

Mobil tried to mount a comeback after the break, but still trailed, 50-76, heading into the final canto.

Mobil’s Jun Estolas delivered 11 points in both the third and fourth quarters, but Proa found its second wind in the final period and ran away with it in the end.

It was a strong effort by Proa who boasted five players in double figures.

Pete Iguel led the group with 19 points, while Estolas finished with a game-high 28 on the short end.

Looking back, Mobil surely missed the presence of its center Larry Sharry and bench support from Juan Maratita and Ernie Moises.

In the late match, Konflikt managed an early 21-16 lead thanks to a couple of long balls in the first quarter.

FGC regrouped in the second period and knotted the count at 40-all at the halftime break.

FGC sank a couple 3-pointers and buried seven free throws in the second quarter surge.

Then FGC’s Kae Bernardo and Lerio Pagarao teamed up for 15 checks in the third quarter to put their team in front by a basket heading into the final period, 65-63.

Rex Yabut came off the bench for FGC in the fourth quarter and delivered eight big points, while his teammates Pagarao, Jason Bahilo, and Zack Babauta converted four pressure-packed free throws in the closing minutes to secure the win.

Konflikt’s Jawn Joyner and Dave Sablan scrambled for eight points apiece in the fourth quarter, but FGC would not be denied.

FGC’s Bernardo led four other teammates in double figures with 26, while Joyner turned in a team-high 22 in Konflikt’s final stand.

Notably, Konflikt mainstays Elmer Esdrelon, Bruce Berline, and Wowie Abuel were contained to an uncharacteristic 14 points combined in the game.

Konflikt’s Ivan DeVero managed 17 points, but both he and Esdrelon fouled out in the match.

[B]First Game

Proa 96[/B] – Iguel 19, Rabauliman 18, Chariton 15, Lizama 14, Barcinas 11, Villacrusis 9, Sablan 8, Mendiola 2.

[B]Mobil 73[/B] – Estolas 28, Lizama 15, Ruluked 13, Fernando 8, De Guzman 4, Factor 4, Gapor 1.

[B]Scoring by quarters: [/B]19-14, 52-32, 70-56, 96-73.

[B]Second Game

FGC 94[/B] – Bernardo 26, Pagarao 19, Bahillo 14, Yabut 13, Lerio 10, Babauta 6, Basila 4, David 2.

[B]Konflikt-IT&E 87[/B] – Joyner 22, DeVero 17, Sablan 16, Abuel 8, Barrios 4, Esdrelon 4, Metran 4, Tamayo 4, Capalad 3, Berline 2.
[B] Scoring by quarters:[/B] 16-21, 40-40, 65-63, 94-87.