Blue Haus Ali’i clinches title

Blue Haus Ali’i’s’ Bruce Berline pulls up for a shot against Pacific Islands Club’s Mike Espinosa during the fourth quarter of their title game in the San Antonio caging last Saturday at the San Antonio court. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Blue Haus Ali’i was crowned champion in the 2015 San Antonio Community Action Network Basketball League following a 57-49 finals win against Pacific Islands Club last Saturday night at the San Antonio court.

Blue Haus Ali’i showed poise in the fourth quarter to foil Pacific Islands Club’s comeback bid and rule the Open division of the inaugural league.

The eventual champion won the pivotal exchange, 12-2, in the next six minute and spare of the fourth quarter after Pacific Islands Club forced the last standoff in the match, 42-all, off a putback from Mike Espinosa at the 7:15 mark of the final canto.

Elmer Esdrelon broke the deadlock with a triple and he hit another one with less than four minutes remaining on the clock, while Junar Guiab knocked in back-to-back short jumpers under the last two-minute warning to seal it for Blue Haus Ali’i. Bruce Berline contributed a point-blanked shot in that spurt, while Espinosa nailed the lone field goal for PIC in the meltdown.

Blue Haus Ali’I needed to hang tough in the payoff period as PIC successfully recovered from a slow start and even took a 4-point advantage early in the fourth, 40-36, before crashing in the last seven minutes of the finale.

The finals was played under a cold night with the strong winds blowing off PIC’s chances to keep up with Blue Haus Ali’i early in the game. PIC was held to a point off Espinosa’s split charity in the first five minutes and change of the opening canto, allowing Blue Haus Ali’i to establish its biggest lead, 13-1.

PIC then finally hit a field goal at the 4:09 mark of the first quarter, thanks to Darwin Barbo’s banked shot off Sean Rabasto’s feed. Barbo went on to finish the opening frame with 8 points, as PIC managed to close the gap, 9-17.

Barbo and company continued their uphill climb in the next two quarters and stole the driver’s seat, 29-28 off Jack Aranda’s first basket in the match that came midway in the third. PIC went on to keep a shaky lead, 37-36, entering the final frame.

Jack Aranda then opened the final canto with a triple to give PIC its biggest advantage at 4 points, however that was the last time he scored, as he missed at least four shots from downtown and the rest of his teammates also fired blanks.

PIC’s offensive meltdown happened with Rabasto sitting on the bench in the majority of the fourth quarter, as the shooting guard only reported back into the game in the last 1:35 and ended the team’s drought with a floater. However, Rabasto’s basket was not enough to spark another PIC fightback, while Blue Haus Ali’i wisely used the clock to its advantage to preserve its lead and win the finale.

Esdrelon top-scored for Blue Haus Ali’i with his 21 points, while Guiab was the other double-figure scorer on the champion team with his 13. Barbo and Rabasto had 11 each to pace PIC, which got only 5 points apiece from Aranda and Abuy. The two shooters averaged in double figures in the last few games of PIC, but clearly struggled against Blue Haus Ali’i’s defense.
Meanwhile, Cholos pulled off a come-from-behind win against GMJ/IKKI Wholesale, 88-85, in the battle for third place match.

Jerome Norita hit clutch baskets, while Jun Tabora canned important free throws in the closing minutes to steal the victory from the west division champion GMJ/IKKI.

Finals
Blue Haus 57— Esdrelon 21, Guiab 13, Fernando 7, Talania 6, De Dios 4, Berline 3, Demapan 2, Velasco 1.
PIC 49— Rabasto 11, Barbo 11, Espinosa 9, Abuy 5, Aranda 5, Feria 4, Castro 2, Galloway 2.
Scoring by quarters: 17-9, 23-19, 36-37, 57-49.

Consolation
Cholos 88— Zalgatar 21, Rangamar 16, Norita 16, Tabora 13, Laguindam 7, Capalad 5, Hernandez 4, Ritual 2.
GMJ/IKKI 85— Camacho 23, Ferrer 20, Mangali 18, Villacrusis 14, Cortez 6, Sison 4.
Scoring by quarters: 17-19, 41-46, 63-67, 88-85.