JSN, Blue Haus set title duel

Blue Haus’ Edwin Santos, center, battles IT&E’s Dexter Tenorio, left, and Jawn Joyner for the rebound during their semis game in the Masters Division of the United Filipino Organization IT&E 2019 Basketball League last Sunday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

The Masters Division of the United Filipino Organization IT&E 2019 Basketball League is down to two teams, as JSN and Blue Haus eliminated their respective foes last Sunday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The No. 3 seed JSN took the first finals seat following a 70-62 semis win over No. 2 Old Iskool, while the top-ranked Blue Haus lived up to expectations after downing No. 4 IT&E in the other Final Four tiff, 82-70.

It was a come-from-behind win for JSN, as the eventual finalist faced a 43-49 deficit after three periods. JSN went on to turn the tables on Old Iskool in the deciding fourth period behind its balance offense. Jun Tabora and Teng Alegre scored 7 points apiece in the payoff canto, Tim Wesley hit five important free throws, and Jun Alipio, Randy Mungcal, and Ferdie Tobias combined for 18 markers.

Old Iskool collapsed in the fourth frame, as it had no player making more than two field goals in the last 10 minutes of play. James Abuy scored the two baskets for Old Iskool.

Mungcal top-scored for JSN with his 16 points, while Jun Tabora added 13. Ed Pangelinan paced Old Iskool with his 13 markers, but was scoreless in the final quarter.

In the other semis match, Blue Haus dominated IT&E in the second half, which started with the latter still in the game, as the former led by only 6 at the break, 37-31.

When the duel resumed, Errol Peredo took over for Blue Haus, scoring 11 points in the third period to lift his team to a 61-47 advantage. Tony Diaz backed up Peredo, delivering 8 of his 12 markers in that crucial canto.

Peredo then kept going in the fourth period, adding 8 more markers, while the rest of his teammates also hit the board to bring Blue Haus to the finals.

Blue Haus will come into winner-take-all finale this Sunday undefeated. Blue Haus swept its nine games in the regular season before topping IT&E in the semis game last weekend. JSN finished the elimination with a 7-2 record, losing the tiebreak for the No. 2 spot with Old Iskool.

First Game
JSN 70—Mungcal 16, J. Tabora 13, Alegre 9, Wesley 7, Garcia 6, D. Tabora 6, Alipio 4, Jarop 3, Tobias 2, Ocampo 2.
Old Iskool 62—Pangelinan 13, Grimpula 12, Camacho 12, Montano 10, Abuy 7, De Guzman 5, Tolentino 3.
Scoring by quarters: 13-11, 28-30, 43-49, 70-62.

Second Game
Blue Haus 82—Peredo 24, Guiab 16, Esdrelon 14, T. Diaz 12, Santos 6, E. Diaz 6, Culala 4.
IT&E 70—Lerio 22, G. Masga 17, Joyner 8, Poquiz 8, D. Masga 6, Tenorio 5, Viola 2, Bucalig 2.
Scoring by quarters: 19-13, 37-31, 61-47, 82-70.