Close wins for Pasion de Amor

Pasion de Amor pulled off close victories at the resumption of the 2015 Blue Haus/IT&E Inter-Color Basketball League last Saturday at the Navy Hill court.

Pasion de Amor’s Elmer Esdrelon slices through the defense of Kidlat’s Manolo Manalo, left, and Justine Zapanta during the first half of their game in the Blue Haus-IT&E caging last Saturday at the Navy Hill court. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Pasion de Amor first nailed a 73-69 win in their regular game against Kidlat before escaping with a 90-89 triumph in the continuation of its opener against Red Rice.

Elmer Esdrelon scored 5 straight points in less than 30 seconds to lift Pasion de Amor to a come-from-behind victory against Red Rice and give his team a 2-0 record in the nine-squad league. Before Esdrelon’s string of points, Red Rice was poised to notch its first win as it enjoyed a 4-point lead, 89-85, after Michael Cabanas split his charities, 22 seconds remaining on the clock.

Cabanas muffed the second charity and Pasion de Amor controlled the rebound with Esdrelon on the finishing end, hitting a triple from the left key in front of their bench. Red Rice quickly went for the inbound after Esdrelon’s big triple, but was called for a violation at the backcourt as Angelo Fernando took extra steps while trying to avoid a double-team from Chris Arreza and Bart Demapan.

Pasion de Amor regained possession with just eight seconds left in the match. Rey Pestillos did the inbound and passed the leather to Demapan, who then handed the ball to Esdrelon while sealing off the latter’s defender from the right key. Esdrelon went on to drive strong to the basket and hit the running jumper to give Pasion de Amor the 1-point cushion, only one second remaining in the match.

Red Rice sued for time and was pressed for a catch-and-shoot play. However, that did not materialize and Pasion de Amor stole the win, as Dan Hernandez’s entry pass to Cabanas was too wide with the ball bouncing out of the baseline.

It was a sorry loss for Red Rice as it managed to dominate the game when it resumed at the 8:58 mark of the second half. Red Rice unloaded a 10-0 bomb to claw its way back from a 71-76 deficit and take an 81-76 advantage. Pasion de Amor also fought back, forcing a deadlock twice behind Esdrelon and Demapan’s baskets and went on to get its second straight win as Red Rice collapsed in the end.

In the first match, Pasion de Amor nearly wasted a 13-point advantage past the halfway mark of the second half, 67-54, before playing steady in the closing minute to thwart Kidlat.

Kidlat brought the lead down to as low as 4, 67-71, after Roy Hernandez capped a 13-4 run with an and-1 play, with less than a minute left in the match. Kidlat could have moved closer after Pasion de Amor faltered on the other end, however Joel Sevilla also muffed two consecutive shots and later committed an errant pass, returning possession to their opponent. Pasion de Amor this time produced the needed points with Esdrelon feeding Chris Arreza in the paint for a reverse layup, 73-67.

Roy Hernandez tried to keep Kidlat in the game anew, as he nailed a layup, however the 24-second shot clock was down and Pasion de Amor dribbled the time away with Kidlat opting not to commit a foul.

Pasion de Amor 90 – Demapan 29, Esdrelon 23, C. Arreza 19, Pestillos 6, Bautista 5, Darag 3, N. Arreza 3.

Red Rice 89 – Barbo 28, Cabanas 24, Hernandez 12, Anasan 12, Saplan 8, Marilla 5.

Scoring by halves: 58-53, 90-89.