Blue Haus survives scare from Rebels

The Rebels? Roy Norita drives against Blue Haus? Elmer Esdrelon, left, and Marlon De Dios during the third quarter of their game in the QQ caging last Wednesday night at the Garapan Basketball Court. (ROSELYN B. MONROYO)

Blue Haus labored to keep its perfect record intact, pulling off a 63-60 victory over the Rebels in the second game in the 2014 QQ Rent A Car Invitational Basketball League last Wednesday night at the Garapan Basketball Court.
Marlon De Dios scored 8 of his 10 points in the fourth quarter to help the defending champions improve to a 4-0 record and foiled the Rebels’ upset bid.

The Rebels (0-2) threatened to end Blue Haus’ streak when it came back from a 17-20 deficit at the end of the first quarter and outclassed the latter in the next two quarters, leading by as much as 8 points, 43-35, in the third period. The third canto wrapped up with the Rebels hanging on to a 47-45 spread and they remained on top in the first four minutes of the fourth period before getting stuck at 54 points.

De Dios led a 10-0 run, turning a 49-54 deficit to a 59-54 advantage. De Dios connected on back-to-back baskets and two charities in that rally, Bruce Berline and Bart Demapan had splits, and Brendon Talania canned a step-in jumper to put Blue Haus in the driver’s seat.

Blue Haus managed to steal the lead and drilled successive baskets, as it extended its defense outside and pressured the Rebels’ ball handlers, forcing the opposing team to commit several turnovers.

A triple from Roy Norita ended the Rebels’ silence and they were back to business after Zack Babauta hit a short jumper, 59-all, going into the last 2:34 of the game.

Teams exchanged misses in the ensuing plays before Talania gave the lead back to Blue Haus with a split free throw, 60-59. The Rebels had chances to grab the lead, but Norita missed on his drive and Don Teregeyo took a hurried baseline jumper after getting the offensive board and faltered, too.

Blue Haus then turned the precarious 1-point lead to 3, 62-59, when Elmer Esdrelon cut through the basket and nailed a layup, 1:25 left in the fourth quarter. Another Rebels botched play returned the leather to Blue Haus, which also failed to cash in on the possession with Darwin Barbo missing on his drive.

With less than a minute left and behind by only 3, the Rebels remained in contention after Norita was fouled in the ensuing play. He hit the first charity, but faltered on the second one, leaving Blue Haus with a 2-point lead, which the defending champion could not stretch as Demapan went 0-for-2 from the foul line on the other end.

The Rebels got the rebound after Demapan’s second attempt, however Babauta’s pass to Ben Lisua to the front court was intercepted by Barbo and Blue Haus melted the clock to secure the win.
Meanwhile, Island Manpower also eked out a close win over the Rollers, 61-58.

It was Island Manpower’s first victory in two games, while the Rollers dropped their debut. Cesar Bisana top-scored for Island Manpower with his 12 points, 3 of them came in the closing minutes of the fourth canto.

First Game
Island Manpower 61 – Bisana 12, Teregeyo 9, Capalad 8, Norita 7, Lizama 5, Standish 5, Tabora 4, Taga 2, Libuw 1.
Rollers 58 – Arciaga 13, Factor 10, Fidelino 8, Nakayama 7, Espinosa 7. Iglecias 3, Malonzo 2, Ano 2.
Scoring by quarters: 10-18, 27-25, 44-39, 61-58.

Second Game
Blue Haus 63 – Galarse 13, Esdrelon 12, De Dios 10, Talania 10, Demapan 9, Barbo 4, Pagarao 4, Berline 1.
Rebels 60 – Litulumar 14, Babauta 13, Norita 10, Manglona 9, Lisua 8, Ulloa 2, Teregeyo 2.
Scoring by quarters: 20-17, 32-29, 45-47, 63-60.