Close win for AK, Eats Easy The Game

Atkins Kroll Toyota players and officials huddle during a break in their game against Eats Easy The Game in the Open Division of the United Filipino Organization IT&E 2019 Basketball League last week at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Contributed Photo)

Atkins Kroll Toyota needed not just one, but two extra periods to thwart Eats Easy The Game, 82-80, in the Open Division match in the United Filipino Organization IT&E 2019 Basketball League last week.

Frank Ferrer stepped up in the extension for AK after scoring 13 points to finish with a game-high 28 markers. Chris Lilles also contributed to AK’s close win, making 8 markers in the fourth canto and 3 in the first overtime to earn double figures with his 19 points.

Lilles also had 8 markers in the opening frame, giving AK a shay 19-18 lead. AK then failed to keep the upper hand, as Jun Fidelino showed up for Eats Easy and fired 13 points in the second quarter to grab the driver’s seat at the break, 39-35.

Eats Easy kept the lead in the third period, 50-46, but AK battled back in the fourth behind Lilles, Ferrer, and John Sekool to force the standoff at the end of regulation, 65-all. The match was still tied after five extra minutes, 70-all, with Ferrer scoring all of AK’s five points and Reynald Cabaltica and Prince Factor making the two field goals for Eats Easy.

Ferrer then kept going in the second overtime period to save the day for AK, which improved its record to 2-1.

Meanwhile, after a sorry loss to AK in last Dec. 19 game, Eats Easy this time came out victorious in another tough match, pulling off an 84-82 win over Shirley’s Coffee Shop.

Fidelino, Factor, and Clint Albert joined forces in handing Eats Easy the 2-point victory. Fidelino delivered 22 points, 7 of them came in the fourth canto, while Albert had 11 in the second half where Eats Easy recovered from a 34-42 deficit. Factor chipped in 17, 13 of them were recorded in the last half of the game.

The trio gave Eats East its second victory in three games. Shirley’s, which was led by the 25 points of John Mendiola, absorbed its first loss after winning its debut (versus Saipan Vegas).

Thurday’s Game
AK Toyota 82—Ferrer 28, Lilles 19, Brennan 12, Sekool 11, Coldeen 6, Guilas 2, Joyner 1.
Eats Easy The Game 80—Arellano 21, Fidelino 17, Erdene 11, Javier 10, Cabaltica 8, Factor 7, Dayao 4.
Scoring by quarters: 19-18, 35-39, 46-50, 65-65, 70-70 (1OT), 82-80 (2OT).

Sunday’s Game
Eats Easy The Game 84—Fidelino 22, Albert 18, Factor 17, Sablan 14, Cabaltica 5, Torregoza 4, Dayao 2.
Shirley’s 82—Mendiola 25, Pelisamen 19, Flores 13, Duenas 10, Aranda 8, Diaz 5, Lisua 2.
Scoring by quarters: 17-22, 34-42, 57-56, 84-82.