Mobil sweeps make-up games

Mobil notched two more wins in one day after prevailing in its make-up games in the 2nd Domino Lux International Fraternity/Miller Lite Basketball Invitational Friendship League last Monday night at the Gualo Rai Basketbal Court.

Mobil first defeated Andhok’s Grille, 69-67, and then downed Shirley’s Coffee Shop in the second make-up match of the night, 75-65. Mobil now has a 6-2 record for third place in the team standings and will face defending champion Blue Haus (6-1) in another make-up game this Friday.

A Blue Haus win will give the defending champions the No. 1 seed in the eight-team playoffs, while a loss could create a three-way tie for the top spot with the Sunrisers (7-2) and Mobil. Besides its game against Mobil (entire overtime period), Blue Haus is scheduled to play Shirley’s in another make-up tiff tonight.

Shirley’s, which fell to a 3-5 record, must win its last game to advance to the next round and leave Andhok’s (3-6), Hite Beer (3-6), and SCS Heavy Equipment (3-5) to battle for the last two playoff tickets. With Andhok’s and Hite Beer done with their regular season assignments, they have to wait for the SCS-Crystal Pure (4-4) game this Friday to determine their playoff chances.

An SCS win and Shirley’s loss will create a four-way tie for the last three playoff seats and organizers will implement a quotient system (points totaled in head-to-heads) to select the playoff qualifier (Top 3 in points system).

Andhok’s had a chance to advance to the next round outright when it controlled the first half of the match that was halted at the 4:11 mark of the second period on Feb. 27. Andhok’s was on top, 30-25, when the game was rained-out and when it resumed, the lead ballooned to double digits at the break, 39-27. However, in the second half Andhok’s collapsed and committed costly errors in the closing minutes to hand Mobil the win.

Gino Libuw was called for a traveling violation on his way for a layup that could have tied the game at 65-all. After the error, Gyles Ruluked made a baseline basket to give Mobil cushion, 67-63, and then stole Mike Umali’s crosscourt pass to return possession to Mobil.

Andhok’s Raymark Castro then gave up a late foul with only 27 seconds left, sending Jun Estolas to the foul line where he split his charities. Down by five, 63-68, Andhok’s refused to give up with White Capalad escaping with a layup and Tim Wesley nailing an undergoal stab after two botched Mobil plays to cut the lead to one, 67-68, 5.5 ticks to go.

Both teams were out of time outs and Mobil made an inbound, Estolas eluded two defenders before getting fouled with 1.1 seconds left on the clock. Estolas made the insurance first free throw and intentionally missed the second.

In the second make-up game, Mobil picked up where it left off, beating Shirley’s by double digits. The match was first played on Feb. 24 with Mobil ahead, 63-57, before rain stopped the play at the 5:53 mark of the fourth period.

Up by only six at he resumption of the match, Mobil sealed the win from the foul line, making 10 of its last 12 points from the stripe. Estolas led the win with his 34 points and six straight free throws in the final canto.

Mobil 69 – Ruluked 17, Estolas 13, Demapan 10, Fernando 8, Moises 6, Reyes 5, Bicera 4, Factor 2, Mallari 2, Galzote 2.

Andhok’s Grille 67 –Wesley 16, Capalad 14, Olaitiman 10, De Guzman 9, Libuw 8, Castro 4, Umali 4, Camacho 2.

Scoring by quarters: 12-21, 27-39, 53-53, 69-67.

Mobil 75 – Estolas 34, Demapan 13, Ruluked 9, Moises 4, Fernando 4, Factor 4, Bicera 4, Dayrit 1.

Shirley’s 65 – Barrios 15, Berline 14, Gabaldon 12, Diaz 8, Montgomery 5, Lang 3, Petersberg 3, Ito 3, Tomokane 2.

Scoring by quarters: 16-23, 38-37, 54-51, 76-65.