Blue Haus, Gilas Batang prevail

Blue Haus’ Errol Peredo unloads a jumper against PPG Paint’s Robert Sanciangco during an earlier game in the Masters Division of the United Filipino Organization IT&E 2019 Basketball League at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. Peredo scored 40 points in Blue Haus’ 122-96 rout of Pacific Marine last Saturday. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Blue Haus and Gilas Batang earned contrasting victories in the Masters Division games in the United Filipino Organization IT&E 2019 Basketball League.

Gilas Batang entered the win column after dropping its first two matches following a 78-69 triumph over PPG Paint last Thursday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. Blue Haus, on the other hand, notched its fourth straight victory after routing Pacific Marine last Saturday, 122-96.

Blue Haus extended its streak despite falling behind by twin digits early in the game. Pacific Marine built a 27-14 advantage at the end of the first period behind the 12 points of John Flores. However, Pacific Marine failed to keep the upper hand in the next quarter, as Tony Diaz and Errol Peredo teamed up in bringing Blue Haus back into the game and turning the tables on their opponent.

Diaz, who was held to one field goal in the opening canto, scored 12 points in the second, while Peredo had another 8-point performance to finish the half with 16 and hand Blue Haus the precarious lead, 44-43.

Blue Haus went on to pull away in the second half with Peredo and Diaz still on target and their other teammates also hitting their shots. Peredo ended up firing 40 points, while Diaz chipped in 33. Junar Guiab and Richard Peredo contributed 14 points apiece, while Jeff Garcia also had double figures with his 12.

Flores paced Pacific Marine with his 28 points, but he was held to 2 in the second quarter and had only 4 markers in the final period.

In the other Masters Division match last Thursday, Gilas Batang banked on a good start and survived PPG Paint’s third-quarter rally to get its first win of the season.

Dick Tibayan and John Jugos combined for 14 points in the first period to lift Gilas Batang to a 23-12 lead and the team kept the double-digit spread at the break, 40-22, with the latter adding 8 more markers in the second period.

PPG Paint then threatened Gilas Batang in the third canto, as Sonny Ebuen kocked in four triples and Tito Alano scored 9 markers to tie the game, 52-all.

However, PPG Paint failed to sustain its momentum in the fourth frame with Ebuen held to 5 points and Alano going scoreless. Jugos, on the other hand, logged 11 points in the fourth quarter to make up for his one field goal output in the penultimate canto and steady the ship. Bart Dacumos and Poole combined for 11 points to provide enough support to Gilas Batang’s main gunner.

Saturday’s Game
Blue Haus 122—E. Peredo 40, Diaz 33, Guiab 14, R. Peredo 14, Garcia 12, Buenabajo 2.
Pacific Marine 96—Flores 28, Sevilla 20, Calunzag 18, Isip 13, Manangan 8, Landicho 6.
Scoring by quarters: 14-27, 44-43, 80-63, 122-27.

Thursday’s Game
Gilas Batang 78—Jugos 29, D. Tibayan 18, Poole 14, Dacumos 6, J. Tibayan 5, Basa 2.
PPG Paints 69—Ebuen 24, Galulu 10, Alano 9, Elchico 8, Salazar 4, Sanciangco 4, Moreno 4, Samson 3.
Scoring by quarters: 23-13, 40-22, 52-52, 68-69