DC eases way to semifinals

DC’s Mii Tekopua pulls up for a point-blank shot against the Hoops’ Aaron Pamintuan during the third quarter of their playoff game in the Civic Center caging in Susupe last Friday. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

No. 1 seed DC coasted to the semifinals in Group A of the 2019 Civic Center Basketball League following a 75-55 demolition of the Hoops last Friday in Susupe.

Matt Duenas led DC’s lopsided victory after scoring 25 points, while Jaymark De Guzman and Gerald Flores also finished in twin digits, making 17 and 12, respectively.

The three DC gunners were on target right at the get-go to lift their team to a double-figure advantage, 21-11. Duenas had 7 points, De Guzman added 6, and Flores logged 5, as their combined points alone were enough to jumpstart DC’s offense.

De Guzman and Flores were then held to 6 markers in the second quarter, but Duenas found a new backup in his cousin, Ernest, who knocked in two triples and delivered 8 points to widen the gap by halftime, 48-25. Matt also drilled two shots from the parking lot and finished the first two quarters with 19 points to bury the Hoops in a deep hole.

The Hoops fell behind by a big margin, as only Kelvin Fitial registered more than one field goal in the second quarter, while Gio Dancel did the same in the first. The Hoops’ offensive struggle continued in the third quarter, while Matt Duenas and company, though they slowed down a bit, made enough baskets to stay comfortably ahead going into the final canto, 68-40.

Up by 28, DC opted to backpedal in the fourth period, while the Hoops failed to capitalize, scoring only six field goals, allowing the former ease its way to the semifinals.

Meanwhile, Loving Hands also moved into the next round after a similar double-digit victory over NMI Contractor, 110-63, in the Group B playoff match last Wednesday.

Loving Hands pulled away in the third period, behind the 11 points of Ed Pangelinan. The Loving Hands shooting guard hit two triples and drew some help from Jun and Junior Tabora, who combined for 9 points, turning their 36-32 halftime advantage to a 60-40 lead.

NMI Contractor, after keeping up with Loving Hands in the first two cantos, scored only two field goals in the third to face a 20-point deficit with only one quarter to go. NMI Contractor managed to play better offense in the fourth frame, however, the final stanza belonged to Pangelinan, who fired 11 triples to finish off their foes.

Pangelinan ended the night with 48 points, 46 were recorded in the second half after he was held scoreless in the second canto. Jun Tabora also had a good shooting night for Loving Hands, as he posted 22 markers.

Friday Game
DC 75—M. Duenas 25, De Guzman 17, Flores 12, E. Duenas 8, Rafols 6, Sablan 5, Rabasto 2, Abobo 1.
Hoops 55—Torres 12, Pamintuan 11, Fitial 9, Poblete 6, Dayrit 5, Dancel 4, Tenorio 3, Buenabajo 2.
Scoring by quarters: 25-11, 48-25, 68-40, 75-55.

Wednesday Game
Loving Hands 110—Pangelinan 48, Jun Tabora 22, Javier 17, Junior Tabora 10, Quemado 7, Ocampo 2.
NMI Contractor 63 —Manangan 12, Jugos 11, Darkley 7, Aquino 7, Centina 6, Castilo 6, Guerrero 6, Morales 5, Esmores 3.
Scoring by quarters: 23-18, 36-32, 60-40, 110-63.