Island’s Best wins again; CES leads San Antonio

CES Electronics’ Syl Teregeyo pulls up for a shot against San Antonio’s Emerson Feria during the first quarter of their rain-suspended game in the DL caging last Tuesday at the San Antonio court. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Island’s Best Choice made it two in a row following an 88-86 win over GMI Market in the curtain-raiser in the DL Corp Invitational Basketball League Season 5 last Tuesday at the San Antonio court.

Matt Duenas and Paolo Sanguyo are proving to be a lethal combination for Island’s Best, as they again led the team’s victory. Duenas sizzled for 36 points against GMI Market after firing 28 in their 85-72 triumph over Kauila Enterprises last week. Sanguyo chipped in 21, a fitting follow-up to his 19-point production versus Kauila.

The burly Duenas scored 5 of Island’s Best’s last 7 points, including three important free throws down the stretch to keep his team on top. Angelo Fernando recorded the 2 other points and knocked in all his 8 in the final canto to help Duenas when Sanguyo slowed down in the payoff period.

With Duenas in his usual fiery form, Island’s Best led at the end of each quarter. It took a 22-17 cushion off Duenas’ 8 markers and the team kept the upper hand at halftime, 44-39, as the former Saipan Southern High School standout added 8, while Sanguyo matched his teammate’s output.

Duenas then had his breakout game in the third, tallying 12, while Ivan Devero reported late for the match, but contributed quickly with his 6 markers to help Island’s Best retain the upper hand, 68-65. Sanguyo scored the 4 other points of Island’s Best in the third before leaving Duenas to take the cudgels for the team in the final canto.

GMI Market’s Jethro Cruz tried to counter Duenas’ hot shooting, but fell short, as he ended up with 19 markers and his team failed to get its second win after stunning defending champion San Antonio last week, 89-87.

Meanwhile, San Antonio played its third game last Tuesday against CES Electronics, but the match was suspended due to rain.

CES was leading at the 5:27 mark of the third canto, 54-51, when the match was halted. CES dominated the first half after starting the game with an 11-0 run. The first period concluded with CES still enjoying the top view, 15-7. Syl Teregeyo scored 8 points in opening canto for CES.

CES kept the driver’s seat at halftime despite a 31-point explosion from San Antonio, thanks to James Kintz’s 9 markers and a lot of support from his teammates.

San Antonio also had a balance offense in the second canto to make up for a bad start and it continued to move closer before rain suspended the game. Mike Arciaga scored the last 6 points for San Antonio before the match was stopped, while Derrick Rangamar hit back-to-back triples to keep CES on top.

Island’s Best 88 — Duenas 36, Sanguyo 21, Devero 6, Fernando 8, Joyner 6, Chopitea 4, Usi 4, Bongolan 2, King 1.

GMI Market 86 — Cruz 19, Ong 13, Ito 11, Alipio 11, Kintaro 10, Sablan 9, Santos 6, Nakashima 2, Atalig 1.

Scoring by quarters: 22-17, 44-39, 68-65, 88-86.