Cell Pro upsets Fresco, 79-71

 Cell Pro eliminated previously undefeated Fresco with an 83-71 upset victory in the Blue Haus Invitational Basketball League playoffs Wednesday night at the Gualo Rai Basketball Court.

Rocycl Ritual and Joshua Norita tallied six points apiece in the first quarter to give Cell Pro an early 21-16 advantage.

Teammate Leo Itaas then took over in the second quarter as his 17 points accounted for all but two of the team’s baskets in the entire period, which allowed Cell Pro to extend its lead to eight, 42-34, at the half.

Norita and Ritual then each delivered six more points as Cell Pro pulled away, 64-54, heading into the payoff period.

Ritual added another 10 big markers in the final period that impeded Fresco’s hopes for a miracle rally.

Itaas led Cell Pro with 27 points, while Fresco’s Edwin Camacho scrambled for a game-high 28.

In Wednesday’s second game, MBI beat Inchcape black and blue, 72-60.

Inchcape actually were in control early as Gilbert Miranda’s five points in the opening eight minutes staked his team to a 17-13 after the opening quarter.

It, however, was short lived as MBI shot ahead, 34-24, in the second quarter with Leo Galarse leading the way with nine points, including a couple of 3-pointers.

Inchcape came out of the halftime break much more physical, but MBI maintained a 49-42 margin thanks largely to Galarse, who again strung together nine points in the third quarter.

Raymark Castro fired 11 points in Inchcape’s fourth quarter rally, but Galarse again scored nine points to complement teammate Marvin Achas’s six points in the final quarter and help seal the deal.

Galarse shot a game-high 27 points, while Castro turned in 19 in Inchcape’s loss.

In a make-up match originally scheduled last Sunday, Sherwin Williams fended off a late charge by NBM to win, 59-56.

Sherwin Williams catapulted ahead, 19-6, in the opening period as Jun Tabora and Dado Vistal combined for 15 points.

The count shifted to 29-18 at the pause as both teams traded baskets in the second quarter before the game was called off for another day.

Action picked up Wednesday at the start of the second half, and NBM battled back to trim the deficit to six points, 38-44, heading into the final canto.

NBM’s Shane Metran led the charge with eight points with Jessie Mina helping out with a pair of treys.

Sherwin Williams continued to struggle in the fourth quarter, but somehow managed to come together at the end. The team eventually secured the victory with four free throws in the final minutes.

Tabora finished with a game-high 21 points, while Metran turned in 14 in the loss.

First Game 

Cell Pro 83 – Itaas 27, Ritual 22, Norita 14, Hernandez 14, Rotap 6, Herrera 4, Tibayan 2.

Fresco 71 – Camacho 28, Mabini 19, Zhe 7, Concepcion 5, Hernaez 4, Wodson 2.

Scoring by quarters: 21-16, 42-34, 64-54, 83-71.

Second Game

MBI 72 – Galarse 27, Trajano 16, David 14, Achas 6, Viola 5, Delarama 2, Garcia 2.

Inchcape 60 – Castro 19, Miranda 14, Marchadesch 9, DLGuerrero 7, Buenabajo 5, Del Rosario 5.

Scoring by quarters: 13-17, 34-24, 49-42, 72-60.

Make-up Game

Sherwin Williams 59 – Tabora 21, Vistal 15, Tobias 14, Garon 5, Dayrit 2, Mallari 2.

NBM 56 – Metran 14, Je. Mina 13, Jr. Mina 8, Ortiz 7, Benavente 4, Tengco 3, Montes 2, Johannes 3, Catalla 2.

Scoring by quarters: 19-6, 29-18, 44-38, 59-56.