Blue Haus, TBK Mechanics prevail in DL Corp. caging

TBK Mechanics’ Kelvin Fitial drives and draws a foul on Saipan Ice’s Chen during the fourth quarter of their game in the DL Corp. caging last Friday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Blue Haus dueled the Destroyers in the curtain-raiser and earned a 91-84 win, while TBK Mechanics coasted past Saipan Ice & Water in the nightcap, 98-84.

Behind by eight after the first period, 17-25, Blue Haus sizzled in the second quarter, firing 31 big points to grab the upper hand, 48-38. Melvin Capalad starred in Blue Haus’ second period fight back, as he drained all his eight markers in that frame, while Edwin Camacho converted two triples, as their combined points were enough to outgun the entire Destroyers’ crew. The Destroyers drilled only 13 markers, their lowest output in a quarter.

Camacho continued hitting his target in the third and had a new partner in crime in Brandon Talania, who dropped 10 markers. Talania and Camacho traded baskets with the Destroyer’s Elmer Esdrelon and Sam Fernandez to keep Blue Haus in front after the third, 69-62.

Talania was still at it in the fourth adding 12 more markers to retain Blue Haus’ safe distance and seven-point win. Talania finished with a game-high 31 points.

In the second game, TBK seized control of its match against Saipan Ice in the second canto after a deadlock in the first period. Ivan De Vero and Lerio Pagarao teamed up in TBK’s first 15 points in the second frame, turning a 21-21 standoff to a 48-38 halftime lead.

Saipan Ice played catch up since then, but only managed to slice the deficit to seven in the third before TBK pulled away midway in the fourth en route to the 14-point victory. TBK cruised to victory in the end as it hit shots from different spots, while Saipan Ice was more focused on matching the former’s offensive firepower instead of making defensive stops.

Pagarao top-scored for TBK with his 24 points, while the Devero siblings, Ivan, and Christian chipped in 21 each. Dan Barcinas had 29 points to lead Saipan Ice’s losing cause.

First Game
Blue Haus 91 – Talania 31, B. Camacho 12, E. Camacho 11, Lisua 9, Barrios 9, Capalad 8, Aquino 4, Moises 2.

Destroyers 84 – De Dios 29, Gontar 14, Pena 11, Esdrelon 10, Fernandez 10, Santos 5, De Belen 2.

Scoring by quarters: 17-25, 48-38, 69-62, 91-84.

Second Game
TBK 98 – Pagarao 24, I. Devero 21, C. Devero 21, Catalla 8, D. Mateo 6, N. Mateo 5, Fitial 4, Pangelinan 3.

Saipan Ice 84 – Barcinas 29, Rangamar 17, Chen 12, N. Saralu 8, R. Saralu 5, Kaipat 5, Mendiola 2.

Scoring by quarters: 21-21, 48-38, 69-62, 98-84.