DECM slips past MDC in masters caging

Blu Haus’ Jojo Elchico drives baseline against NAPA Auto’s Bryan Manabat in their masters game in the Inaugural SCLC Basketball League last Saturday at the Gillette Multi-Purpose Gymnasium in Gualo Rai. (MARK RABAGO)

DECM Construction leveled its win-loss record in the masters division of the Inaugural SCLC Basketball League at 1-1 after nipping Marianas Dental Clinic, 92-90, last Saturday at the Gillette Multi-Purpose Gymnasium in Gualo Rai.

“Smoking” Jun Tabora was spectacular all game long and scored 12 of his game-high 38 points in the fourth quarter, including his team’s last 5 points, to tow DECM to victory.

MDC actually took the initiative in the early goings of the contest and led 22-15, thanks to the 8 early points of last-minute addition Fradel Sedillo.

DECM buckled down to work in the second quarter with Tabora starting to smolder with 14 points as his team took a 45-43 advantage at the half.

Speedy Martin Moreno then unloaded 7 off his 12 total points at the start of the second half as the seesaw battle continued in the third with MDC carrying a 72-68 spread into the fourth and final quarter.

It was still nip-and-tuck in the final 10 minutes of the contest with neither team giving the other any safe lead. Tabora though, true to his gun-slinging ways, was just too good for any MDC defender assigned to him and unleashed a 5-point salvo at the end to lead DECM to victory following its loss to NAPA Auto last week.

Steady Ed Pangelinan provided much-needed scoring support for Tabora with 15 markers, while starting center Andy Viola and Denis Calunsag chipped in 9 markers apiece.

Sedillo paced MDC in the heart-breaking loss with 26 markers with Martin and Rodney Catalla adding 12 points and 11 points, respectively.

Earlier in the evening, Blu Haus withstood repeated comeback attempts by NAPA Auto to take the early lead in the masters division after an 85-77 victory. NAPA Auto, who played minus center Jun Alipio, led after the first two quarters, 21-17 and 47-40. Blu Haus, led by its powerhouse cast, would take the lead after three quarters of play, 65-60, and then held on in the final 5 minutes thanks to veteran guard Elmer Esdrelon’s clutch plays, which included an and-1 fastbreak play that finally broke the backs of NAPA Auto.

DECM 92 – Tabora 38, Pangelinan 15, Viola 9, Calunsag 9, Joson 8, Salazar 4, Ja. Gatdula 5, Jo. Gatdula 4.
MDC 90 – Sedillo 26, Martin 12, Catalla 11, Villarin 8, Manipon 7, Calbone 7, Dela Torre 7, Baterina 5, Tolentino 4, Saplan 3.
Scoring by quarters: 15-22, 45-43, 68-72, 92-90.