KFC/Taco Bell recovers, gains fifth win

  KFC/Taco Bell bounced back from a previous loss with a 75-68 victory over Sinigang in the first game in the 2012 DLX/DL JOS Inter-Color Basketball League last Friday night at the Gualo Rai Basketball Court.

KFC, which had its winning run snapped last week after bowing to Banahaw Restaurant, 59-62, played consistently against Sinigang (1-3) to improve to a 4-1 record and retain the No. 2 spot in Pool B behind the unbeaten Fastbreakers (5-0).

JR Deleon Guerrero top-scored for KFC with 21 points, while Herbert Maranan and Joon Lee chipped in 18 and 12, respectively.

KFC outscored Sinigang in each of the first three quarters and then traded baskets with its foe in the fourth and final period to secure the 7-point win. KFC never trailed, as it nailed at least 18 points in each of the four frames.

Deleon Guerrero drained 10 of his total markers in the opening canto, while Maranan contributed 6 to give KFC a 19-11 advantage. Sinigang fell behind early as Prince Factor almost had a one-man show in the first period, scoring 6 of their total output.

Factor continued to lead Sinigang in the second canto, while Deleon Guerrero went cold. However, Lee filled the void Guerrero left on KFC’s offense in the second period, nailing 8 points, while Maranan remained steady on offense, ending the quarter with a triple for their 37-28 halftime led.

The second half was the same story with Factor almost single handedly carrying Sinigang on his shoulder, while Deleon and Maranan alternately providing the needed points for KFC to keep the win.

Factor led Sinigang’s losing cause with his 30 points.

Docomo 66, LD Prime 53

In the second game, Docomo barged into the win column after a 0-3 start, following a victory over LD Prime (1-3).

A 24-8 start gave Docomo enough cushion en route to the 13-point win.

Six different players contributed in Docomo’s good start with four of them scoring at least two baskets each.

In contrast, only Richard Perez and JK Quemado made it into the scoreboard for LD Prime in the first period and the team was held to three field goals. LD Prime never recovered from the early deficit and had its best offensive showing only in the fourth period, 14-9, when the win was already in the bag for Docomo.

Jose Tudela led Docomo’s balance offense with his 14 points, while his five other teammates logged at least six points apiece, while three others combined for 12 more markers.

David Magtuloy and John Jugos had 15 and 12, respectively, for LD Prime and the rest of the team got garbage points.

First Game

KFC 75 – Deleon Guerrero 21, Maranan 18, Lee 12, Mendiola 8, Tinio 4, Salas 4, Tumbaga 2, Sevilla 2, Francisco 2.

Sinigang 68 – Factor 30, Moran 10, Jeri. Habijan 10, Aguilar 8, Lapuz 8, Gotengco 4, Ano 3, Mojica 2.

Scoring by quarters: 19-11, 37-28, 57-47, 75-68.

Second Game

Docomo 66 – Tudela 14, Lazardo 8, Tengco 8, Gomez 7, Sanciangco 7, Bautista 6, Cultura 4, Enriquez 4, Achas 4.

LD Prime 53 – Magtuloy 15, Jugos 12, J. Quemado 8, Abaygar 7, Perez 5, S. Quemado 4, Pena 2.

Scoring by quarters: 24-8, 39-19, 57-39, 66-53.