Jets clinch championship

 The Jets saved enough fuel in the homestretch to beat the Filcag Rollers in the finals, 86-80, and secure the championship in the UFO Inter-Organization Youth Basketball Docomo Pacific Cup 2011 last Saturday night at the TSL Sports Complex.

After falling behind at the end of each of the first three quarters, the AFP/Jets stepped up in the fourth and final frame and won the game of streaks, outgunning the Filcag Rollers, 21-10, in the last 4:13 of the winner-take-all match.

The fourth canto started with the Filcag Rollers ahead, 56-52, after closing out the third with a 10-2 run. The Jets launched they own rally in the fourth, scoring 13 points in the first three minutes against the Rollers’ two for the former’s biggest lead, 65-59.

Sensing trouble, Rollers coach Joe Diaz sued for time and his wards responded with an 11-0 scoring spree to regain control of the match, 70-65, 4:13 left on the clock.

Again, the Jets found ways to close in with Ezra Caro making six straight points to move his team within one, 73-74, 2:09 left on the clock.

The final two-minute mark was the last time Rollers had the lead as after a missed drive from Leo Galarse, Melvin Cadiang sprinted for a fastbreak layup to put the Jets on top, 75-74.

The Jets hung in there, as it held the Filcag Rollers scoreless for more than two minutes, while Cadiang, Caro, Sajh Hossain, and Eugene Manglona delivered the needed baskets for the team in the closing minutes.

Manglona was perfect in his last four trips at the stripe after an airball in one of his previous stints at the foul line and made two big defensive stops. He stole a kickoff pass, leading to a Cadiang fastbreak layup and the Jets’ 80-74 lead. Then, Manglona blocked Brandon Aulerio’s reverse layup and picked up the loose ball.

The Filcag Rollers had several opportunities to recover, but had poor shot selections, going for early triples instead of high percentage two-pointers. Leo Galarse took one of those hurried triples in a fastbreak play with Rollers behind by only four, 78-74. He missed and the Jets made a long pass for Cadiang’s breakaway layup.

When the Rollers finally hit their treys-one each from Aulerio and Josh Kiyoshi-timed had already ran out and the Jets were assured of the championship after going 6-for-6 from the foul line.

Manglona top-scored for the Jets with his 20 points and drew solid support from his fellow starters. Caro added 18, while Hossain and Cadiang chipped in 17 and 16, respectively. Kevin Deleon, who did a good quarterbacking job for the Jets, also finished in double figures with 11 despite leaving the match in the last 2:27 due to cramps.

Galarse paced Filcag Rollers with 21 markers, but was scoreless in the last 4:32 of the finals. Pat Torres contributed 14, but was pulled out midway in the fourth in favor of Aulerio. Luizi Reyes was given a brief rest in the last four minutes of the game, but when he came back he struggled with his passes against the double-teaming defense of the Jets. The Filcag Rollers guard finished with only eight points and committed three errant passes in the homestretch.

Reyes was held to only two points in the first period, but the Rollers got two triples from Torres for a 21-12 lead.

The Jets made it a two-point game at the break, 33-35, as their starters began to jell well on offense. Cadiang scored eight points, Manglona had six, and Hossain nailed five. Then in the third period, the Rollers stretched its lead to four, 56-52, with Torres and Galarse hitting their shots. In the fourth and final quarter, the two Rollers gunners went cold, while the Jets were on a zone to grab the driver’s seat and the title.

Meanwhile, in the battle for third place, Samahang Ilokano at Pangasinense defeated MDX/Armatech, 89-79.

SIP controlled the match from start to finish, capitalizing on a depleted MDX crew. MDX played without its top scorer-Matt Duenas.

Jaymark De Guzman and Jack Aranda teamed up in giving SIP a third place finish scoring 22 and 20 markers, respectively. Niko Salem added 11.

Pedro Castro led MDX’s losing cause with his 23 points, while Lawrence Rollon tallied 20.

Consolation Game

SIP 89 – De Guzman 22, Aranda 20, Ni. Salem 11, Cenir 9, Darag 6, Alegre 4, Saturno 4, Mariano 2.

MDX 79 – Castro 23, Rollon 20, Francisco 13, Ano 12, Feria 7, Maranan 6.

Scoring by quarters: 24-23, 46-48, 73-67, 89-79.

Finals

AFP/Jets 86 – Manglona 20, Caro 18, Hossain 17, Cadiang 16, De Leon 11, Webb 2.

Filcag Rollers 80 – Galarse 21, Torres 14, Aulerio 12, Reyes 8, Kiyoshi 8, Namelo 6, Eubanks 3, Iglecias 2.

Scoring by quarters: 12-21, 33-35, 52-56, 86-80.