Blue Haus survives opener

Blue Haus’ Gerald Flores, right, takes off for a layup against Pacific Hardware’s Buboy Sampang during the fourth quarter of their game in the opening of the One Pacific Promotional Basketball League 2020 last night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Blue Haus withstood Pacific Hardware’s late comeback to pull off an 80-76 victory in its opening game in the One Pacific Promotional Basketball League 2020 last night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Ed Pangelinan drilled a rally-halting jumper under the one minute mark and picked up a loose ball that paved the way for the insurance basket for Blue Haus.

Before Pangelinan’s basket, Blue Haus saw its once 9-point lead (71-62), sliced to a deuce, 76-74, as Pacific Hardware launched an 12-5 run beginning at the last two minutes and change of the game. Mac Mintac anchored Pacific Hardware’s last push after drilling back-to-back triples, while Ken Viray added a layup, and Alvin Almario nailed 4 straight points, including the undergoal stab that moved his team within 2 down to the last 21 seconds of the match.

After Almario’s shot, Blue Haus sued for time and when the game resumed, Jack Aranda found Pangelinan open at the left baseline for the short jumper that gave their team more breathing room, 78-74.

Pacific Hardware, with the clock ticking down, tried to counter quickly, but Viray lost the ball, as he attacked his defender. Pangelinan then picked up the loose ball and found Aranda sprinting to their frontcourt. Aranda, however, muffed the open layup, but fortunately, Bart Demapan was there for the trailer and the putback that iced it for Blue Haus, 80-74, just 6 seconds left in the game

Randy Mungcal managed to beat the clock with his inside basket to peg the final score.

Aranda top-scored for Blue Haus with his 22 points, while Pangelinan also finished in twin digits with his 17. Gerald Flores matched Pangelinan’s output, while Demapan chipped in 11. Mintac paced Pacific Hardward with his 27 markers.

6JMS/Sea Bridges 77, Ming Yang 56
In the curtain-raiser, 6JMS/Sea Bridges eased past Ming Yang.

6JMS/Sea Bridges banked on a strong start to notch the double-digit winning margin. The eventual winning team established a 23-10 lead in the first quarter behind the 12 points of Freddie Pelisamen and never looked back after that.

Pelisamen had a game-high 26 points, while Ren Gaviola and Rocyl Ritual added 15 and 13 markers, respectively.

Meanwhile, this year’s One Pacific caging will feature 16 teams divided into two pools.

Two more matches were played last night, while the rest of the scheduled has yet to be finalized. The succeeding games will take place at the Civic Center Court in Susupe.

Blue Haus’ Ed Pangelinan, left, pulls up for one of the baskets he hit in the fourth quarter against Pacific Hardware during their their game in the opening of the One Pacific Promotional Basketball League 2020 last night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

First Game
6JMS/Sea Bridges 77—Pelisamen 26, Gaviola 15, Ritual 13, Mendiola 11, Diaz 4, Lieto 4, Mangali 2, Lavadie 2.
Ming Yang 56—Giron 11, Monteverde 11, Alano 10, Pineda 6, Galuu 8, Divinagracia 6, Tenepere 4, Broncano 3, Jose 2.
Scoring by quarters: 23-10, 41-15, 64-36, 77-56.

Second Game
Blue Haus 80—Aranda 22, Pangelinan 17, Flores 14, Demapan 11, Talania 8, Estores 2, Bernardo 2.
Pacific Hardware 76—Mintac 27, Viray 17, Manalo 17, Almario 7, Mungcal 2.
Scoring by quarters: 21-17, 33-30, 53-49, 80-76.