Connie’s BBQ ties best record in elimination

Connie’s BBQ’s Nelson Cabang, third left, is challenged by two Max’s Restaurant defenders during the third quarter of their game in the 2019 One Pacific Promotional Basketball League last Wednesday at the Civic Center Court. (Kimberly A. Bautista)

Connie’s BBQ won its last game in the regular season of the 2019 One Pacific Promotional Basketball League after topping Max’s Restaurant, 88-70, last Wednesday at the Civic Center Court.

Connie’s finished the round-robin elimination with a 9-2 record, the same mark Tsingtao Boyz earned. Both teams are now in the playoffs with Tsingtao getting the No. 1 seed and Connie’s settling for No. 2 due to the win-over-the-other rule.

Kerwin Dayao and Nelson Cabang teamed up in handing Connie’s its ninth win after scoring 20 and 18, points respectively. They combined for 18 points in the first quarter, as Connie’s took the lead early and never relinquished it en route to the double-digit winning margin.

Joel Danao also contributed to Connie’s lopsided victory, as he delivered 8 of his 13 markers in the fourth quarter where his team finished off Max’s with a 22-10 scoring surge.

Max’s Restaurant is also done for the season, wrapping up the elimination with a dismal 2-9 record.

Gilas Batang 60, IT&E Dark 58
In the second game last Wednesday, Gilas Batang edged IT&E Dark.

It was Gilas Batang’s second straight win, but the victory was too late, as the team has been eliminated. With its 2-8 mark, Gilas Batang is at the No. 11 spot in the team standings, while IT&E Dark finished the regular season with a 5-6 slate and is moving into the playoffs with seven other squads.

Alken Ege showed the way for Gilas Batang after logging 16 points, while Erwin Lumanuan added 13 points, including the last three crucial markers in the close match.

RNV Construction 71, Light and Salt 66
Meanwhile, RNV Construction continued its uphill climb in the team standings after getting win No. 7 following its 5-point victory over the eliminated Light and Salt. RNV now has a 7-2 record, moving up to third place in the rankings behind Tsingtao and Connie’s and slightly ahead of Mawati (7-3).

RNV scored at least 20 points in each of the first two quarters to gain control of the game and then withstood Light and Salt’s rally in the second half

RNV took a 13-point lead in the first quarter, 25-12, and stretched it to 15 at the break, 45-30. Ronald Rueda led RNV in the first half with his 16 points and finished the match with a game-high 31.

Light and Salt fought back in the fourth quarter behind Rommel Usi, who fired 16 of his 29 markers in the final frame, but his team still failed to make it to the win column. Light and Salt fell to a 0-10 record and has only one game left in the elimination.

WEDNESDAY
First Game
Connie’s BBQ 88—Dayao 20, Cabang 18, Danao 13, Bongacan 9, Rodriguez 8, Esmores 7, Centina 6, Barbo 3.

Max’s Restaurant 70—Herrera 29, Salalila 18, Paynor 11, Lerio 7, Balignasay 3, Banasco 1, Tibayan 1.

Scoring by quarters: 28-20, 48-41, 66-60, 88-70.

Second Game
Gilas Batang 60—Ege 16, Lumanuan 13, Estobes 8, Tibayan 7, Hernandez 6, Alviz 4, Rosario 4, Acosta 2.
IT&E Dark 58—Mateo 16, Cabanas 10, Aguon 9, Dayrit 7, Devero 6, Duero 4, Garcia 2, Peredo 2, Brana 2.
Scoring by quarters: 13-6, 26-23, 46-41, 60-58.

TUESDAY
First Game
RNV Construction 71—Rueda 31, Corpuz 9, Rueda 6, Baul 6, Naval 5, Tagle 4, Taraya 4, Odicta 2, Biscocho 2, Corong 2.
Light and Salt 66—Usi 29, Pineda 11, Embile 8, Bautista 8, Laxamana 6, Claveria 4.
Scoring by quarters: 25-12, 45-30, 59-45, 71-66.