Hi-Five slips past DeMolay in UFO caging

Hi-Five/POWER won its debut game in a thrilling fashion, as it escaped past DeMolay/Kyokusenkai, 58-57, in the first game in the U20 division of the 2012 UFO Docomo Pacific Cup last Saturday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Hi-Five trailed by as much as 10 points in the second period, 25-35, and was still behind by four in the last one minute of the match, 51-55, but managed to steal the game behind the clutch baskets of siblings Frank and Gary Macahito in the final 25 seconds of the game.

Frank’s undergoal stab moved Hi-Five within two, 55-57, and he had a chance to slice the lead to one after drawing a foul, too on Michael Bondoc. However, Frank missed the bonus shot, but fortunately, older brother, Gary was there to beat two Demolay players for the rebound. Gary then went up for a shot, made the basket plus a foul from Richard Mendiola, and drilled the free throw to put Hi-Five in the lead, 58-57.

DeMolay had 22.3 seconds to map out a winning play, but Hi-Five stood its ground on three occasions to complete the come-from-behind win. First, Frank Macahito almost stole the ball from the backcourt in the inbound play, 14.7 seconds left in the match. Second, Hi-Five challenged Factor’s drive before the ball went out to the baseline and DeMolay kept possession. Third, Hi-Five shut down the baseline on Factor, who was forced to give up the ball to the wrong hands and coach Eric Atalig’s wards melted the clock to secure their debut win.

Frank Macahito top-scored for Hi-Five with 23 points and was the lone player on his team to have double figures. Factor was also the only DeMolay player to score in twin digits, as Dae Min Jeon had only nine markers.

\Jeon made all his points in the second canto to give DeMolay its biggest lead, but he went out of the court and missed the first seven minutes of the third, allowing Hi-Five to recover and tie the game, 41-all, entering the final canto.

Hi-Five finally grabbed the lead, 45-44, off M.J. Aldan’s long jumper, but Factor and Ogumoro led a 9-0 run, for a 53-45 lead. Hi-Five then regrouped in the last four minutes of the game behind the baskets of Don Hocket and Frank Macahito, while DeMolay took forced shots to collapse in the end.

Meanwhile, two more U20 games were played last Saturday and results will be published later this week.

The UFO Docomo Pacific Cup resumed after two-weeklong break with a one-sided U14 game won by DYS/SMF against Hi-Five/VisMinda.

DYS controlled the match right out of the gate, leading at 16-5, and continued to pull away, as its starters and bench players proved to be too much for Hi-Five.

DJ Ong started out for DYS and erupted for 33 points, while three others also finished in double figures, and five combined for 30 markers, just nine short of Hi-Five’s total output. C.J. Morales added 17, while Adrian De Luna and Sam Darag contributed 11 and 10, respectively, for DYS’ second win in as many games.

Jordan Butcher and Jethro Cruz scored 14 each in Hi-Five’s debut.

DYS/SMF 104 – Ong 33, Morales 17, De Luna 11, Darag 10, Espinosa 9, Iglecias 7, Atmana 6, Venezuela 4, Subang 4.

Hi-Five/VisMinda 39 – Butcher 14, Cruz 14, Rangamar 7, Diyco 2, Pangelinan 2.

Scoring by quarters: 16-5, 39-14, 67-18, 104-39.

Hi-Five/POWER 58 – F. Macahito 23, Urbano 7, Cabaltica 6, Aldan 6, G. Macahito 5, Hocket 4, Cristobal 4, Sapo 1.

DeMolay/Kyokusenkai 57 – Factor 10, Jeon 9, Ogumoro 8, Leong 6, Bondoc 5, Yap 4, Borja 4, Gotengco 2, Mendiola 2, Mamaril 2.

Scoring by quarters: 12-10, 28-35, 41-41, 58-57.