Max’s enters win column

Max’s Restaurant came back strong from its debut loss in the 2019 One Pacific Promotional Basketball League after routing Gilas Batang, 71-52, last weekend at the Civic Center Court in Susupe.

Max’s, which lost to RNV Construction early this month, 49-67, quickly recovered after a third-quarter surge against the reeling Gilas Batang. The penultimate period started with Max’s behind by 3, 24-27, as it was held to its lowest output in the game—9 markers.

Then a 29-point production in the third period was way more than enough to bring Max’s back into the driver’s seat, as it gained full control of the match, 53-35. Sonny Lerio and Riel Paynor teamed up for Max in the pivotal third canto, as they each scored 10 points in the rally. Ogie Herrera and Josh Balignasay also helped out, adding 4 markers apiece.

While Max’s was on target in the third quarter, Gilas Batang struggled with its offense after making only four field goals. Only Alken Ege knocked in more than one basket in Gilas Batang’s meltdown, while Bart Dacumos and Mike Estores delivered the two other field goals for the team that has yet to break into the win column in the Tsingtao Beer-sponsored league.

Gilas Batang tried to make up for its disappointing performance in the third period in the last quarter, but lacked the firepower to do so. Again, only Ege stood out for Gilas Batang in the fourth frame, while Max’s had multiple options on offense to keep the big gap en route to the squad’s first victory in the 12-team field.

Paynor led Max’s with his 18 points, while Herrera, Lerio, and Patrick Salalila also finished in twin digits, making 15, 14, and 10, respectively. Ege was the lone double-figure scorer for Gilas Batang after logging 14 points.

Max’s was slated to play its third match last night against Tsingtao Boyz, but the game was reset due to rain. Also rescheduled was the Pardz Ballers-Docomo Pacific tiff in the curtain-raiser, while weather permitting, Gilas Batang will take on Saipan Adventure in the second game at 8pm and Connie’s BBQ will challenge Light & Salt in the opener at 6:30pm. To complete the weekend schedule, Tsingtao Boys will square off against RNV Construction in the first match tomorrow, while Mawati will face IT&E Dark in the second game.

Matches in the Once Pacific caging are played every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, but organizers may hold make-up games every Wednesday.

Max’s 71—Paynor 18, Herrera 15, Lerio 14, Salalila 10, Balignasay 4, Flores 2, Tibayan 2.
Gilas Batang 52—Ege 14, Tibayan 9, Rosario 6, Hernandez 6, Estores 6, Dacumos 4, Carag 2, Acosta 2, Alviz 2.
Scoring by quarters: 15-10, 24-27, 53-35, 71-52