Joeten takes fifth straight victory

Joeten’s Kelvin Fitial pulls up for a point-blank shot during an earlier game against Best Deal/RNV Construction in the JEM/Mobil caging this month at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Joeten’s winning ways continued as it eased past Docomo, 79-65, in the curtain-raiser in the JEM Company Ltd./Mobil Customer Appreciation Basketball League last Monday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

The victory was Joeten’s fifth in a row and the squad has yet to drop a game since bowing to Commonwealth Utilities Corp. in its season opener early last month to take the No. 2 spot in the team standings in Pool A behind the undefeated TanHoldings (5-0). Docomo, on the other hand, is at the bottom half of the group as it absorbed its fifth consecutive loss in six games.

The streaking Joeten set up yet another easy win after getting early control of the one-sided match. Ivan Devero jumpstarted Joeten’s offense, scoring 11 points in the first quarter to lift his team to a double-digit advantage 23-9.

Joeten went on to pad its lead in the next two periods with Kelvin Fitial and Alex Lauron also hitting their targets, while Mel Manibusan almost single-handedly tried to keep Docomo in the match. With only Manibusan contributing to Docomo’s cause, Joeten had the game in the bag as early as the third period, as it comfortably took a 60-33 lead.

Docomo then managed to trim the deficit down to a decent number in the fourth quarter, as Joeten let its guard down in the final canto and gave its bench players some time on the court.

Kelvin Fitial top-scored in Joeten’s 14-point win with his 19 markers, while Devero and Lauron chipped in 16 and 11, respectively. Four other Joeten players contributed at least 5 markers each in their victory, while Manibusan had 24 for Docomo.

Meanwhile, in the second game, Top Development, Inc. quickly regrouped after losing to Pool B division leader Mariana Resort following a 77-72 triumph over Westco in last Monday’s night cap.

Raymond Velasco, who had 41 points in their 80-89 defeat, was still on fire, drilling 30 points against Westco. Velasco and company led from start to finish as he drew enough support from his three teammates. Jerome Reyes tallied 17 markers, while Allen Reyes and Krizgel Arreza logged 14 and 11, respectively.

With its 3-2 record, TDI tied Westco for third to fourth place in the team standings in Pool B. Dan Illahi led Westco’s losing cause with his 32 points.

First Game
Joeten 79 – Fitial 19, Devero 16, Lauron 11, Sambile 7, Rogolifoi 6, Rio 5, Tobias 5, Dionisio 4, Chariton 2.
Docomo 65 – Manibusan 24, Griffin 12, Hayes 8, Sanciangco 5, Mendiola 2, Kaipat 2, Alvarez 1.
Scoring by quarters: 23-9, 33-19, 60-33, 79-65.

Second Game
TDI 77 – Velasco 30, J. Reyes 17, A. Reyes 14, K. Arreza 11, Lumayag 2, N. Arreza 2, Ibarra 1.
Westco 72 – Illahi 32, Landicho 13, Rejano 13, Cortez 7, Pacholco 4, Gutierrez 3.
Scoring by quarters: 23-16, 38-32, 63-55, 77-72.