Mawati enters win column

Mawati barged into the win column in the 2015 DLX Invitational Basketball League after outclassing The Compound, 56-50, last Monday night at the Gualo Rai Basketball Court.

Mawati’s Arjay Nonato pulls up for a floater against The Compound’s Kelvin Fitial, while Rainier Deleon Guerrero comes in late for help defense during the fourth quarter of their game in the DLX caging last Monday night at the Gualo Rai Basketball Court. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Mawati built enough cushion in the third quarter to survive The Compound’s fourth-quarter rally and snap its two-game losing skid. The Compound remained winless in three games.

Despite the loss, The Compound put up a gallant fight, preventing Mawati from easing its way to victory after the latter erected a 24-point advantage at the end of the third, 52-28. The Compound managed to move within 10, 52-42, midway in the second half with Richard Ada and Kelvin Fitial teaming up in the recovery.

Mawati lost the big lead, as it decided to play passive basketball, wasting a lot of time dribbling the ball instead of setting up its offense and going for the kill. They were held scoreless in the first eight minutes of the fourth period before Webb Gontar hit a double-clutch shot against a phalanx of The Compound defenders to end the drought.

Gontar also drilled the other basket for Mawati in the fourth off his reverse layup to seal the win, with about one minute left on the clock.

The Compound fell short in its rally as it turned the ball over many times past in the last five minutes of the match. Three successive baskets from Fitial were not enough complete their comeback bid, as time was not on their side. An Ada layup at the buzzer pegged the final score.

Gontar paced Mawati with his 12 points, while Harris Enriquez chipped in 10. Ada led all scorers with his 22 markers.

Meanwhile, in the first game, Jake’s Catering took the solo lead in the eight-team league after dominating Eye Sees, 79-67.

Jake’s Catering improved its record to 3-0, one win ahead of SSFM/New Garapan market, while Eye Sees dropped to third with its 2-1 mark.

Jake’s Catering led from start to finish and earned twin digit spread at the end of the first three quarters with Ronnel Gamboa anchoring the team’s offense.

Gamboa scored 21 points and had four triples, while Gerald Rivera added 19. Melvin Rejano and Meljun Capalad were the two other double-figure scorer for Jake’s Catering, contributing 14 and 10, respectively. Jakes Catering hit eight treys against none from Eye Sees, which leaned on the 19 points of Angelo Fernando.

First Game
Jake’s Catering 79 – Gamboa 21, Rivera 19, Rejano 14, M. Capalad 10, Manalo 9, Garcia 3, Gunnacao 2.

Eye Sees 67 – Fernando 19, Directo 16, Lim 14, Manzano 10, Espinosa 4, Soriano 2.

Scoring by quarters: 23-12, 38-21, 55-41, 79-67.

Second Game
Mawati 56 – Gontar 12, Enriquez 10, Rejano 9, Larot 8, Nonato 5, Demapan 5, Rena 2.

The Compound 50 – Ada 22, Fitial 13, Camacho 11, Saures 4.

Scoring by quarters: 18-12, 39-18, 52-28, 56-50.