Konflikt keeps unbeaten record

 IT&E Konflikt is still flawless after securing a 75-70 victory over the Ol’Aces in the 2011 Garapan Basketball League IT&E Cup last Wednesday night at the Garapan Basketball Court.

Konflikt and the Ol’Aces played only the continuation of their rained-out game with the former picking up where it left off to improve to a perfect 5-0 record. Konflikt was ahead, 68-66, with over three minutes left in regulation when rain caused the suspension of Monday night’s match.

Jawn Joyner, Dave Sablan, and Elmer Esdrelon scored for Konflikt when the game resumed to eke out a five-point victory. Tony Diaz made a triple for the Ol’Aces, who got their fourth point off a free throw.

The Ol’ Aces led the match for the majority of the first three quarters before suffering a sudden meltdown in the closing minutes of the third. Konflikt drilled three free throws before it rained to grab the upper hand, 68-66.

When the match resumed last Wednesday, Joyner scored the first basket, giving Konflikt the much-needed momentum to steal the win. The Ol’Aces muffed their chances to regain the lead when their shooters came out cold in the moment of truth.

Back on last Monday’s game, the Ol’Aces jumped to an early 16-12 lead behind the eight points of Freddie Pelisamen. The Ol’ Aces then stretched the margin to 36-27 at the break, as Pelisamen added 10 more points in the second quarter.

Konflikt’s Elmer Esdrelon was contained to just eight points in the first half, as the GBL frontrunners got off to a slow start offensively.

Konflikt battled back however in the third period and made it a two-possession game, 48-52, heading into the final canto. Six different players teamed up in the rally, while Tony Diaz kept the Ol’Aces in the driver’s seat with his 10 points.

Konflikt buried a pair of early three-pointers in the fourth quarter to continue its recovery until it eventually stole the lead before rain came and rescheduled the match. Pelisamen missed the resumption of the game, but still led all scorers with his 27 points. Esdrelon turned in 20 points to pace Konflikt.

Meanwhile, the second game last Wednesday between Mobil and the Ol’Aces was rained-out in the second quarter.

IT&E Konflikt 75 – Esdrelon 20, Devero 14, Sablan 13, Joyner 12, Berline 8, Abuel 7, Barrios 1.

Ol’Aces 70 – Pelisamen 27, T. Diaz 24, White 8, Camacho 5, Iginoef 2, Z. Diaz 2, Kenty 2.

Scoring by quarters: 12-16, 27-36, 48-52, 75-70.