HBR upsets The Game in open caging

HBR International players are all smiles after upsetting The Game in the open division of the Inaugural SCLC Basketball League last Wednesday at the Civic Center Basketball Court in Susupe. (CONTRIBUTED OHOTO)

HBR International upset a depleted The Game crew, 61-53, in the open division of the Inaugural SCLC Basketball League last Wednesday at the Civic Center Basketball Court in Susupe.

Seeing action in the third and final game, the league-leaders were easy pickings from the get-go as they were missing their heavy hitters. It also helped that HBR International got a big lift from youthful Isaac Perez, who exploded for 10 points in the first 10 minutes of action to help his team to a 19-11 lead.

It was more of a team effort for Perez and company in the second as HBR International continued to have the driver’s seat and entered intermission with a 32-23 spread.

Returning Douglas “Spider” Schmidt tried to rally The Game in third by going berserk with 10 points in the period, but HBR International was as steady as it goes and again spread the wealth and as a result took a 46-37 advantage in the fourth and final quarter.

Perez got back into rhythm in the fourth, igniting for another 8 points as HBR International leveled its win-loss count to 5-5, while exacting The Game only its second loss in 11 outings. Perez top-scored for HBR International with 22 points, while Schmidt was the high-point man for the losing team with 21 markers.

In the first game, Team Marianas improved to 9-1 following an 82-72 win against Blue Haus. Jeff Castro paced the now league-leaders with 18 points, while Errol Peredo was brilliant in defeat with 26 points.

In the lone masters game of the evening, Marianas Dental Center kept Magalahi Eagles winless at 0-7 while hiking their win-loss card to 4-6 following a 61-42 decision. As usual, Fradel Sedillo led MDC with 30 points, while Dennis Cortez fired 14 in a losing effort.

On the April 10 playdate, JTM (6-4) bested Gravity 670 (6-6), 88-71; Lakay/Islander (8-5) defeated Royal Pacific (2-7), 82-66; and Team Marianas thrashed Super Tech (1-10), 121-35, all in the open division.

First Game
Team Marianas 82 – Castro 18, Sablan 11, Santos 10, Dela Cruz 7, Deleon Guerrero 7, Brennan 7, Satur 6, Augenbaugh 2, Villarin 2.
Blue Haus 72 – Peredo 26, Devero 20, De Dedios 8, Santos 4, Talania 4, De Guzman 4, Miko 3.
Scoring by quarters: 19-15, 37-33, 55-51, 82-72.

Second Game
MDC 61 – Sedillo 30, Catalla 10, Echavez 5, Tolentino 4, Quimado 4, Manipon 4, Lumauag 4.
Magalahi Eagles 42 – Cortez 14, Brillo 12, Panes 10, Claveria 6.
Scoring by quarters: 10-10, 26-23, 43-32, 61-42.

Third Game
HBD International 61 – Perez 22, Antonio 11, Romo 10, Gotengco 6, Galang 4, Reyes 2, Sapo 2.
The Game 53 – Schmidt 21, Mintac 15, Deleon Guerrero 8, Rangamar 4, Albert 3, Dayao 2.
Scoring by quarters: 19-11, 32-23, 46-37, 61-53.