Cell Pro wins Blue Haus championship

 Cell Pro took the inaugural championship in the Blue Haus Invitational Basketball League after surviving Micronesian Brokers, Inc. in overtime, 91-88, in the winner-take-all finals last Sunday night at the Garapan Basketball Court.

Leo Itaas canned the clutch baskets in the fourth period and overtime to help Cell Pro stun MBI, which came into the one-game finals undefeated. MBI lost the championship after collapsing in the last 4:25 of the match.

MBI was still ahead, 76-67, after Noel David’s fastbreak layup with less than five minutes left on the clock when Itaas teamed up with Rocyl Ritual in bringing Cell Pro back in the game.

Itaas ignited Cell Pro’s 15-6 windup, which he started with a three-point play. Jude Loste followed it up with back-to-back baskets, while Ritual later nailed a triple. Cell Pro then scored its last four points in regulation from the stripe with Ritual and Roy Herrera nailing one charity each and Itaas making two crucial free throws

MBI was still on top, 82-80, with 12 seconds left on the clock when Itaas drove to the basket and was fouled. He drilled the pressure-packed charities and MBI failed to score on its last offensive set, sending the game into overtime.

In the extension period, MBI played without Leo Galarse, Noel David, and Andy Diola, who all fouled out in the last two minutes of the match.

Cell Pro capitalized on the absence of MBI’s key players and with the latter missing its ball carriers, the former forced a couple of turnovers in overtime and turned them into baskets.

Itaas nailed one field goal and two free throws in the closing seconds before leaving the game due to five fouls, while Roy Hernandez also contributed three points before fouling out. Herrera made Cell Pro’s other field goal in the extension period.

MBI was held to only two field goals in the extra period, as David was no longer there to orchestrate their offense and Galarse helplessly watched from the bench how his teammates struggled to find their mark. Galarse left the playing court with 37 big points, while David finished with 21.

Ritual also had an explosive game in the finale with 36 markers, while Itaas provided enough support with his 22 points, making seven of them in the all-important fourth quarter.

MBI and Cell Pro slugged it out in the first half with the former leading by a hair in the opening quarter, 19-18, and then upping its advantage to five at halftime, 43-38.

Galarse sizzled for 19 points in the first half to put MBI in the driver’s seat, while David chipped in 11.

Ritual fired three triples in the second quarter to keep Cell Pro afloat at the break. He continued to connect on his outside shots in the third period and scored Cell Pro’s last six points in that canto to grab the upper hand, 62-61, entering the final frame.

Galarse, who had a shootout with Ritual in the third frame, then led MBI’s 15-5 start, but Cell Pro refused to give up and pulled off the come-from-behind win with Itaas stepping up in the closing minutes.

Itaas was later named Finals MVP, while Cell Pro was awarded the championship trophy.

Cell Pro 91 – Ritual 36, Itaas 22, Hernandez 11, Herrera 8, J. Loste 6, Rotap 4, Tibayan 2.

MBI 88 – Galarse 37, David 21, Trajano 10, Garcia 9, Viola 4, Dela Rama 3, Achas 1, Cordero 1.

Scoring by quarters: 19-18, 43-38, 62-61, 82-82, 91-88.