IT&E edges TBK Mechanics in MDX Caging

IT&E?s Nate Mateo loses the ball, as Docomo Pacific?s Rolly Paraiso, left, and Marlon Sison challenge his drive during the third quarter of their game in the MDX caging last Wednesday at the Gualo Rai Basketball Court. (ROSELYN B. MONROYO)

IT&E rallied past TBK Mechanics, 66-64, in the curtain-raiser in the 2014 MDX Amateur Radio Club Basketball League last Saturday night at the Gualo Rai Basketball Court.
Marlon De Dios and J.R. Barrios hit clutch baskets to lift IT&E to a come-from-behind win. The duo combined for the team’s last 8 points with Barrios hitting a triple and another field goal. De Dios also made a field goal and a split free throw that sealed it for IT&E.

IT&E stole the win despite trailing by as much as 9 points in the first half and still faced a 51-54 deficit at the end of the third quarter. Errol Peredo also contributed in the fourth-quarter comeback, making two straight baskets, while Nate Mateo scored the team’s first three points in that canto.

Peredo top-scored for IT&E with his 16 points, while Christian Devero led TBK with his 26, but was held to two field goals in the fourth frame.

In the other game last Saturday, Gwap Gang downed Saipan Ice & Water, 89-76.

Four Gwap Gang players finished in twin digits to power their team to the 13-point win. Shane Diaz scored 21 points, while John Darag and Rodney Sacramento contributed 18 each, and Kelvin Fitial chipped in 15.

With Gwap Gang drawing contributions from multiple players, it led the match from start to finish and went for the kill in the fourth period.

Meanwhile, action in the MDX caging resumed last Wednesday after Monday’s matches were called off due to rain.

Natural Mystic played TBK Mechanics in the first game and bagged a 92-80 victory, while IT&E battled corporate rival Docomo Pacific, but results of the second game were unavailable at press time.

Natural Myistic scored 20 plus points in three quarters to hand TBK back-to-back losses. Natural Mystic drilled 26 points in the first canto to open a 9-point lead and made it a double-digit advantage at the half, 54-38, as Tony Deleon Guerrero was on target in the first 20 minutes of play and drew enough help from his teammates.

Deleon Guerrero went on to finish the match with a game-high 21 points, while three of his teammates also notched double figures in scoring.

SATURDAY
First Game
IT&E 66 – Peredo 16, De Dios 14, Barrios 12, Mateo 8, Gamboa 4, Hernandez 4, Usi 3, Park 2.
TBK 64 – C. Devero 26, I. Devero 11, Sablan 8, Mateo 7, Guiab 4, Fernandez 2, Velasco 2.
Scoring by quarters: 18-20, 32-39, 51-54, 66-64.

Second Game
Gwap Gang 89 – Diaz 21, Sacramento 18, Darag 18, Fitial 15, Yap 8, Ito 4, Deleon Guerrro 2.
Saipan Ice 76 – Norita 20, Rangamar 17, Sablan 14, Teregeyo 13, A. Kaipat 6, T. Kaipat 5, Ra. Saralu 1.
Scoring by quarters: 18-24, 44-39, 58-53, 89-76.

WEDNESDAY
First Game
Natural Mystic 92 – Deloen Guerrero 21, Barcinas 12, Standish 12, Reyes 10, Ulloa 9, Ogarto 8, SAblan 5, Maratita 2.
TBK 80 – C. Devero 20, Velasco 18, Sablan 10, Guiab 8, Che 7, Rio 2.
Scoring by quarters: 26-15, 55-38, 69-56, 92-80.