Customs rallies; Diaz powers CUC past CHC

Customs came back from an early double-digit deficit, while Commonwealth Utilities Corp. overcame its opponents’ gritty stand to come out victorious in the 2014 IT&E-DYS Inter-Government Basketball League last week at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Customs rallied from a 13-point deficit in the second quarter in beating Department of Public Safety, 64-54, last Wednesday, while CUC survived the Ajoste brothers’ second half offensive explosion, escaping with a 76-73 double overtime win over Commonwealth Health Center.

Customs fell behind early after making only 7 points in the opening period, while allowing DPS to score 19 markers. DPS entered the halftime break enjoying a 31-18 spread.

Leo Galarse led Customs’ comeback in the second half, scoring 11 points in the third quarter to move his team within four entering the fourth canto, 43-47.

Don Teregeyo and Don Brennan then came alive in the final period combining for 11 points to provide scoring support to Galarse’s game-long brilliance. Galarse finished with 19 points, while Teregeyo added 18 markers. Brennan had 9 points, most of which came in the payoff period, while Luigi Reyes also scored 9.

Customs outscored DPS, 46-23, in the second half and with the win improved its record to 2-2. DPS dropped its third straight game after starting the league with a 58-44 thumping of Judiciary on Oct. 1.

Suane Pua paced DPS’ losing cause with 18, while James Pua scattered 15 points.

In the second game, Tony Diaz teamed up with John Santos, James Benavente, and Robert Lieto to power CUC to a double overtime victory over CHC.

CHC seemed headed for its first win when it entered the halftime break holding on to a 33-26 advantage, and started the fourth period with a slim 44-41 edge.

However, Diaz and his teammates battled back into contention and matched CHC shot after shot to foil their opponents’ bid of clinching a breakthrough win.

Diaz tallied 24 points for CUC, while Santos finished with 18 markers, and Benavente and Lieto scored 13 apiece.

Brian Ajoste had 23 for CHC, while brother Omar contributed 14.
CUC hiked its record to 2-1, while CHC remained winless after four matches.

First Game

Customs 64 –Galarse 19, Teregeyo 18, Brennan 9, Lui. Reyes 9, Lus. Reyes 4, Pangelinan 3, Cepeda 2.

DPS 54 – S. Pua 18, J. Pua 15, Manglona 7, Saures 7, Camacho 4, Joab 2, Kwon 1.
Scoring by quarters: 7-19, 18-31, 43-47, 64-54.

Second Game

CUC 76 – Diaz 24, J. Santos 18, Benavente 13, Lieto 13, Mizutani 3, Seidler 3, Camacho 2.

CHC 73 – B. Ajoste 23, O. Ajoste 14, Nunag 9, Rajo 8, Bahillo 7, Fernandez 6, Tudela 4, Cariaso 2.

Scoring by quarters: 15-13, 26-33, 41-44, 55-55, 65-65, 76-73 (2 OTs).