QQ stuns Sunrisers in DLX/Miller Lite caging

QQ Rent A Car secured a playoff berth in the 2nd Domino Lux International Fraternity/Miller Lite Basketball Invitational Friendship League after pulling off an upset against the Sunrisers, 63-59, during their game last Wednesday night at the Gualo Rai Basketbal Court.

QQ finished the round-robin elimination with a 5-4 record for fourth place in the 10-team field and a slot to the eight-team playoffs. The Sunrisers are also assured of a ticket to the next round despite dropping their last two games and completing their elimination assignments with a 7-2 card.

Elgene Mangali delivered the blows for QQ, as he scored 23 points and redeemed himself from a so-so performance in their 61-70 loss to Andhok’s Grille last Monday. Mangali drained 10 of his total points in the fourth quarter, including two crucial free throws to lift QQ to the four-point win. QQ nailed three free throws in the homestretch to foil the Sunrisers’ bid for their eighth win. Rolly Paraiso buried the other charity.

The Sunrisers ended the elimination on a losing skid, as only Jawn Joyner stepped up for the team, which missed shooter Josh Sablan. Joyner logged a game-high 27 points, while Jeff Quitugua was only the third Sunrisers player to score in double figures with 10, but most of them came early in the game. Pete Lizama also made 10 points, but struggled in the first three periods with only one field goal.

Quitugua had seven points in the opening quarter, giving the Sunrisers an 11-8 lead. Then after a slow start, QQ Rent A Car picked up its scoring in the second frame, outgunning the Sunrisers, 26-12. Dan Mateo and Wowie Abuel teamed up in the recovery, drilling eight points apiece to hand QQ a 32-23 advantage.

The Sunrisers cut the lead to four at the end of the third, 42-46, with Joyner firing 14 of their last 15 points in that canto. Joyner continued to lead the Sunrisers in the fourth, while Lizama tried to help him out, however, Mangali was there to keep QQ’s distance.
[B] Crystal Pure 69, Smart Cagers 61[/B]

In the curtain raiser, Crsyal Pure edged Smart Cagers to boost its playoff bid.

Crystal Pure improved to a 3-4 record for a three-way tie for fifth to seventh place with Shirley’s Coffee Shop and SCS Heavy Equipment Rental. Smart Cagers fell to a 2-6 card for last place and are in danger of elimination.

After a close first quarter, Sonny Lerio and Kae Bernardo drilled in six points each in the second canto, extending Crystal Pure’s three-point lead after the first period, 17-14, to 11 at the break, 38-27.

Smart Cagers played catch up from thereon, but Crystal Pure hung on in the fourth quarter with its free throws conversion. Crystal Pure scored eight of its last 11 points from the foul line.

Lerio paced Crystal Pure with 17, while Bernardo and Gilbert Miranda had 12, and Rex Yabut chipped in 11.

Crystal Pure 69[/B] – Lerio 17, Bernarod 12, Miranda 12, Yabut 11, Cruz 7, Cadag 5, Diyco 3.
[B] Smart Cagers/Ali’i 61[/B] – De Dios 13, Gamboa 13, Dayrit 12, Peredo 12, Santos 6, Inos 5.
[B] Scoring by quarters: [/B]17-14, 38-27, 48-43, 69-61.

QQ Rent A Car 63 [/B]– Mangali 23, Mateo 11, Abuel 11, Pagarao 8, Paraiso 5, Cruz 2, Montes 2.