Team Pogi survives Docomo for third win

Team Pogi clinched its third win in the 2012 DLX/DL JOS Inter-Color Basketball League after thwarting Docomo, 72-69, last Saturday at the Gualo Rai Basketball Court.

Team Pogi is now tied for second place with DLX/Irish Spring (3-1), just close behind Bracket A leader Mawati (2-0). Docomo remained at the bottom of the team standings with its dismal 0-3 slate.

Docomo absorbed its third loss in a row despite leading in the second and third quarters and having several chances to regain the upper hand and keep the win in the closing seconds of the fourth canto.

Down 66-67, Erwin Gomes had a chance to put Docomo back on top, but split his charities. Docomo grabbed the offensive board, but Jomer Enriquez missed a point-blank shot, while Team Pogi this time got the rebound with Renan Lansang finishing the play with an and-1 fastbreak layup.

Enriquez muffed another inside shot, but Docomo remained in contention when Lansang faltered on his free throws on the other end, while Resty Oson connected on his drive, 69-70, 26.3 seconds left on the clock.

Another Team Pogi miss returned possession to Docomo with Oson hanging on to the ball too long before deciding to pass it to Angel Bautista instead of going strong to the basket. The leather then slipped out of Bautista’s hands and rolled out to the sideline in front of Docomo’s bench.

Team Pogi was awarded possession in the last 10.5 seconds, did a good job eluding Docomo players who wanted to gave up quick fouls, and made an insurance basket with Tim Sula nailing an open layup off Jason Bahillo’s assist.

Jeff Bahillo top-scored for Team Pogi with 21, while brothe Jason and Lansag added 12 apiece, and Sula chipped in 11. Gomes had 19 for Docomo.

In the second game, Banahaw Restaurant also eked out a close win over KFC/Taco Bell.

Banahaw improved to a 3-1 record to keep pace with Bracket B frontrunners the Fastbreakers (4-0). KFC also hold a 3-1 card, ending its three-game winning streak.

Julius Tabamo led Banahaw’s victory as he scored 24 points, including 6 of the team’s last 10 points. His, Joel Saplan, and Chris Lansang’s baskets in the fourth quarter foiled KFC’s repeated comeback bids. Saplan finished with 13, making 6 in the payoff canto, while Lansang had 8.

Herbert Maranan and Joon Lee nailed 13 and 12, respectively, for KFC, which played sans key player Ralph Francisco. Francisco, who averaged in double figures in their first three wins, was absent in their game against Banahaw due to a minor injury. KFC also missed the contribution of Jeff Durant, who was held to two points.

Team Pogi 72 – Je. Bahillo 21, Lansang 12, Ja. Bahillo 12, Sula 11, Chan 8, R. Aranda 4, Raquero 2.

Docomo 69 – Gomes 19, Oson 17, Achas 17, Bautista 8, Enriquez 4, Sanciangco 4.

Scoring by quarters: 20-15, 34-32, 47-53, 71-69.

Banahaw Restaurant 62 – Tabamo 24, Saplan 13, Zapata 9, Lansang 8, Pacson 4, Master 2, Tonon 2.

KFC 59 – Maranan 13, Lee 12, Salas 9, Deleon Guerrero 9, Mendiola 5, Tinio 4, Durant 4, Tumbaga 2, Sevilla 2.

Scoring by quarters: 18-9, 29-22, 46-44, 62-59.