Connie’s BBQ keeps win streak

Connie’s BBQ’s Austin Camacho, center, throws up a shot against Pardz’s Mike Jose during an earlier game in the 2019 One Pacific Promotional Basketball League at the Civic Center Court in Susupe. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Connie’s BBQ notched its fifth win in as many games in the 2019 One Pacific Promotional Basketball League after easing past Gilas Batang, 75-61, last Tuesday at the Civic Center Court in Susupe.

Connie’s buckled down to work early to seize control of the match, as it opened a 14-point lead after the first period, 27-13. Joel Danao kicked thing off for Connie’s, as he scored 6 of the squad’s first 8 points, while Ronald Esmores, Austin Camacho, and Kerwin Dayao picked up where the former left off, making the team’s last 15 markers. Dayao had 8 markers in that stretch, 6 of them came from the 3-point area, to hand Connie’s BBQ the double-digit spread after the first canto.

Then in the second frame, a different player stepped up for Connie’s with Nelson Cabang drilling 10 points to keep the unbeaten squad in front, 44-28.

Gilas Batang fell behind further in the second canto, as it had no player hitting more than two field goals in that period. The struggle continued for the winless Gilas in the third quarter, as it was held to 13 points for the third time, allowing Connie’s to enjoy the big lead despite a 12-marker output.

Gilas Batang then finally scored 20-plus points in the fourth frame (22), but that was not enough to bring the team back into the game, as Connie’s just countered to walk away with the 14-point winning margin.

Cabang paced Connie’s with his 19 points, while Dayao, Danao, and Camacho chipped in 13 apiece.

Alken Ege and Roy Hernandez had 13 points each for Gilas Batang, which dropped to a 0-5 record.

Meanwhile, IT&E Light earned its second win in three games after topping Max’s Restaurant in the curtain-raiser, 92-69.

IT&E Light limited Max’s to 11 points in the second quarter—the team’s lowest production in the game—to turn a 23-17 cushion to a 44-28 halftime advantage. IT&E Light kept going in the second half, firing 20-plus points in each of last two periods to coast to victory.

Five ITE& players scored in double figures in their 23-point win with Aaron Pamintuan topping the list after making 15 points

First Game
IT&E Light 92—Pamintuan 15, De Guzman 14, Henry 13, Nuguid 13, Dayrit 12, Aglipay 6, Madreo 6, Gotengco 6, Jose 2.
Max’s Restaurant 69—Lerio 17, Norita 12, Salalila 11, Paynor 8, Rotap 6, Tibayan 5, Herrera 4, Loyola 3.
Scoring by quarters: 23-17, 44-28, 71-49, 92-69.

Second Game
Connie’s BBQ 75—Cabang 19, Dayao 13, Danao 13, Camacho 13, Esmores 7, Bongalan 5, Rodriguez 3.
Gilas Batang 61—Ege 13, Hernandez 13, Acosta 8, Tibayan 6, De Jesus 6, Estores 4, Rosario 4.
Scoring by quarters: 27-14, 44-26, 56-39, 75-61.