Andhok’s Grille survives SCS in OT

Andhok’s Grille needed five extra minutes to thwart the persistent SCS Heavy Equipment Rental, 88-83, during the first game in the 2nd Domino Lux International Fraternity/Miller Lite Basketball Invitational Friendship League last Saturday night at the Gualo Rai Basketbal Court.

The overtime win gave Andhok’s an even 2-2 record and fifth place in the 10-team field, while SCS absorbed its second straight loss after a 3-0 start to drop from second to third place in the standings.

SCS played with only six players, as center Glenn Aquino and forward Jessie Mina sat on the bench due to injuries, while Jack Lizama did not show up for the match. Despite its depleted crew, SCS managed to lead by as much as 10 points in the second canto before falling short in the fourth period and in the extension.

Back-to-back baskets from Rocyl Ritual in the last 46 seconds of the fourth quarter sent the game in overtime. His first basket came off a tip-in after a Manolo Manalo miss and the second one was another basket in the paint off a lob from Ferdie Tobias.

Andhok’s had 13.6 second to pull up for a shot and win the game in regulation, but wasted a lot of time setting up for a play and when Gino Libuw finally decided to attack from the left wing, he was already time pressured and missed the side jumper at the buzzer.

Before the final play in the fourth period, there was confusion on the floor as the buzzer sounded after Ritual’s basket knotted the count at 78. Table officials thought Andhok’s called for a timeout, but coach Boy Garcia had none left and was just shouting for instructions from the sideline. SCS players then argued that a technical foul should be charged on Andhok’s, but referees decided to let the “miscommunication” go and later the match went into overtime after Libuw’s miss.

Both teams struggled offensively in the extension, which remained tied going into the last two minutes, 80-all, before Mike Umali converted a fastbreak play, Jorge De Guzman made an undergoal stab and Tim Wesley split his charity in the ensuing plays.

Down 80-85, with less than a minute left, SCS refused to throw in the towel, as Manalo knocked in a triple to move within two, 83-85, 32.3 seconds left in the match. Another Wesley split from the foul line still made it a one-possession game, 86-83, and SCS had 13 seconds left to force another overtime.

However, Ferdie Tobias made an error when he came off a Bon Tamayo screen, attempted a triple from the right key, but at the last minute and in mid-air decided to drop the ball to the latter. Tamayo was already rolling toward the paint and it was Libuw who caught Tobias’ drop pass and went straight to the basket and canned the fastbreak layup to secure the win for Andhok’s.

Wesley top-scored for Andhok’s with 21, while De Guzman chipped in 16. Manalo led all scorers with 30.

In the second game, defending champion Blue Haus improved to a 3-1 record for second place in the team standings after beating Crystal Pure.

Blue Haus led from start to finish, capitalizing on Crystal Pure’s so-so performance on offense in the first half. Crystal Pure was held to 12 points in the first period, allowing Blue Haus to take a 17-12 lead. Junar Guiab scored Blue Haus’ first seven points in the opening canto.

By the end of the first half, Blue Haus stretched the lead to twin digits, 40-30, and Crystal Pure failed to make headway in the second half, as it was contented trading baskets with the defending champion.

Bernardo Aquino paced Blue Haus with 16 markers, while Guiab finished with 14. Mike Cruz had 16 for Crystal Pure, which fell to a 1-2 card.

Andhok’s Grille 88 – Wesley 21, De Guzman 16, Umali 12, Libuw 10, Olaitiman 10, Capalad 8, Artates 7, Castro 2.

SCS 83 – Manalo 30, Ritual 20, Tamayo 16, Pantaleon 10, Tobias 5.

Scoring by quarters: 12-18, 28-38, 61-61, 78-78, 88-83.

Blue Haus 71 – Aquino 16, Guiab 14, Talania 10, Camacho 7, Itaas 6, Esdrelon 6, Tumaquiip 6, Fernandez 4.

Crystal Pure 61 – Cruz 16, Bernardo 15, Mendoza 10, Miranda 10, Lerio 8, Cadag 3.

Scoring by quarters: 17-12, 40-30, 51-41, 71-61.