Mariana Resort wins rubber

Mariana Resort’s Rico Delo Reyes pulls up for a shot against TDI’s Nestor Arreza, left, and Arwin Reyes during the fourth quarter of their rubber match in the JP World caging last Wednesday night at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Mariana Resort caught the last bus to the playoff round of the 2nd JP World Corp. Customer Appreciation Basketball League after beating Top Development, Inc., 59-56, in a rubber match last Wednesday night at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

Mariana Resort gained more cushion early in the fourth quarter and held on against TDI’s rally late in the game to notch the eighth and last playoff seat. Mariana Resort will be paired against top-ranked Tan Holdings in the first round of the playoffs, while TDI is taking another vacation after having the similar misfortune in the inaugural edition of the league.

Ryan Manglona and Michael Fidelino brought Mariana Resort to the next round after combining for more than half of the team’s total points. Manglona scored 18 points, while Fidelino chipped in 14, including two charities that foiled TDI’s comeback bid.

TDI trailed by as much as 10 in the fourth frame, 51-41, but patiently worked its way back into the match and sliced the deficit to 3, 54-57, down to the last 34.5 seconds of the game. TDI had a chance to move close after another botched Mariana Resort’s offensive set and Arwin Reyes was fouled on his way to the basket. However, Reyes muffed both charities, allowing Mariana Resort to keep the 3-point cushion.

Fidelino made it a 4-point lead off a split free throw on the other end, while TDI wasted another opportunity to pull the rug under Mariana Resort when Raymond Velasco’s layup rattled off the rim. After that crucial miss, Mariana Resort got the rebound and Fidelino was fouled anew. He knocked in his second free throw for the insurance, while TDI hit the last basket of the game off Velasco’s banked shot with 3 seconds left on the clock. Mariana Resort melted the clock after the inbound play to secure the win and eliminate TDI.

Velasco tallied 26 points in TDI’s farewell match, while Henry Manipon chipped in 10.

Meanwhile, the other pairings in the first round of the playoffs are as follows: No. 2 MBI/KFC vs No. 7 CUC; No. 3 Joeten vs No. 6 Docomo; and No. 4 Saipan Ice vs No. 5 McDonald’s. Playoff matches will be played starting tonight.

Mariana Resort 59 – Manglona 18, Fidelino 14, Francisco 10, Litulumar 8, Bansil 4, Capuli 3, Delos Reyes 2.

TDI 56 – Velasco 26, Manipon 10, A. Reyes 6, Arreza 6, Pollisco 6, Lumayag 2.

Scoring by quarters: 12-12, 29-28, 44-39, 59-56.