JSN beats PPG Paint in masters

JSN forward Jun Tabora was named best player of the game in their masters division matchup against PPG Paint last Sunday in the United Filipino Organization IT&E 2019 Basketball League at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. With Tabora in the photo is UFO caging commissioner Lito Espino. (Contributed Photo)

JSN used an explosive second quarter to upend PPG Paint in their masters division matchup last Sunday in the United Filipino Organization IT&E 2019 Basketball League at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

PPG Paint took the initiative from the opening tip behind Sonny Ebuen. With the sweet-shooting forward hitting his mark, PPG Paint took a 19-17 lead over JSN after the first quarter.

JSN, however, would unleash hellfire on their opponents in the second quarter, as ageless wonder Alex Ocampo pumped in 10 points and Tabora brothers Jun and Dante combined for 8 to give them a 41-27 spread at halftime.

But what comes up must come down and that exactly what happened to JSN come the start of the second half. With Ebuen this time getting able support from Martin Moreno and Joseph Galulu, PPG Paint went to town in the third quarter and managed to trim their deficit to just a deuce, 49-51, heading into the fourth and final quarter.

In the payoff period, both teams were involved in a seesaw battle with JSN finally nosing out PPG Paint thanks to some timely baskets by Ocampo and Jun Tabora.

Jun Tabora was smoking hot in the duel with 24 points to take home best player of the game honors, while Ocampo chipped in 20 markers of his own. Ebuen shone for PPG Paint in the loss with a game-high 25 points.

It was the fifth win in six games for JSN, while the loss was sixth against no wins for PPG Paint.

Last Saturday, Team Lakay evened its win-loss card to 3-3 after outlasting Eats Easy-The Game, 69-65. It was a sorry loss for the favored Eats Easy-The Game, as they practically led the first three quarters before faltering in the end.

Ronald Bernardo was named best player of the game after leading Team Lakay with 18 points. Center Richard Williams and forward Melvin Capalad fired 13 and 10 points, respectively, for the victors. Rey Cabaltica top-scored for the now 5-2 Eats Easy-The Game with 17 markers.

The UFO caging resumes at 6pm tonight with Blue Haus taking on IT&E in the first game in the masters division, while RNV squares off against Pacific Islands Club Saipan in the open division at 7:30pm.

JSN 76 – J. Tabora 24, Ocampo 20, Wesley 7, D. Tabora 4, Mungcal 4, Alegre 4, Tobias 3, Jarop 2, Rosario 2, Santos 2, Gatdula 2.
PPG Paint 68 – Ebuen 25, Galulu 10, Elchico 8, Moreno 8, Sanciangco 7, Montoya 4.
Scoring by quarters: 17-19, 41-27, 51-49, 76-68.

Team Lakay 69 – Bernardo 18, Williams 13, Capalad 10, Canbrera 8, Reyes 4, Hipolito 4, Romo4, Solis 4, Macaraig 2, Alegre 2.
Eats Easy -The Game 65 – Cabaltica 17, Dayao 10, Fidelino 7, Arellano 7, Torregoza 6, Erdene 6, Sablan 4, Abobo 2.
Scoring by quarters: 10-18, 29-35, 47-48, 69-65.