Lakay, Marianas Variety clinch finals berths

Lakay and Marianas Variety will be playing in the finals of their respective groups in the 2019 Civic Center Basketball League after prevailing in the semis matches over the weekend in Susupe.

Lakay advanced to the championship game in Group B after stunning the then unbeaten Real Deal last Saturday, 77-68, while Marianas Variety earned a finals ticket in Group A following a 78-71 triumph over Alberto’s Catering last Sunday.

The No. 6 seed Marianas Variety led from start to finish, holding the No. 2 seed Alberto’s to four field goals and 8 points in the first quarter to take control of the match. Marianas Varietymore than doubled up Alberto’s production in the opening period, 20-8, with Joshua Andrew and Ken Viray leading the team’s offense. Andrew scored 8 points in the first 10 minutes of play, while Viray added 6.

After an early struggle, Alberto’s picked up its scoring in the second canto, but Marianas Variety remained on top at the half, 37-28, with Andrew, Viray, and Prince Factor hitting enough baskets to foil their foe’s comeback bid.

Marianas Variety then regained its double-digit advantage in the third period, 58-40, with Melvin Villarin anchoring the breakaway after drilling all his 8 points in that quarter.

Behind by 18, Alberto’s tried to salvage its season by rallying in the fourth period. However, Viray was there to spoil Alberto’s bid, as he delivered 11 points and knocked in important free throws to bring Marianas Variety to the finals. Viray finished with a game-high 25 points.

Marianas Variety will play DC in Group A’s winner-take-all title match, which has yet to be scheduled.

In Group B, it will be Lakay versus the winner of the Loving Hands-Far East semis game.

Ronald Bernardo towed Lakay to the finals after recording 19 points, 7 of them came in the fourth quarter where his team gained more cushion after a 52-49 advantage at the end of the third.

Yelyel Manalo also contributed timely baskets for Lakay in the fourth frame, chipping in 5 points, while Renren Gaviola and Shane Deleon Guerrero added 4 markers each.

Donnel Isip did not score in the fourth period, but his three triples in the third period put Lakay on top after Real Deal led in the first two quarters.

Coby Santos had 18 points in a losing effort for Real Deal, as only him and his two other teammates hit their target in the fourth canto, while Lakay had seven players scoring in that period.

Saturday Game
Lakay 77—Bernardo 19, Manalo 9, Isip 9, Gaviola 8, Deleon Guerrero 8, Toribio 7, Mendoza 5, Camacho 5, Kwon 4, Macaraig 2, Solis 1.
Real Deal 68—Santos 18, P. Basa, Diaz 9, Kabiriel 8, Bondoc 5, Rangamar 4, E. Basa 4, Laniyo 2.
Scoring by quarters: 16-22, 32-30, 52-49, 77-68.

Sunday Game
Marianas Variety 78—Viray 25, Andrew 14, P. Factor 11, Quan 10, Villarin 8, A. Factor 6, Younis 2, Babauta 2.
Alberto’s Catering 71—Rivera 15, Ferrer 10, Reyes 10, Mangali 9, Barrios 8, Jandoc 6, Joyner 5, Ritual 4, Romo 2, Esteves 2.
Scoring by quarters: 20-8, 37-29, 58-40, 78-71.