McDonald’s, CUC win debuts in JEM caging

Joeten’s Chris Rogolifoi is hounded by CUC defenders during the third quarter of their game in the JEM/Mobil caging last Tuesday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

McDonald’s and Commonwealth Utilities Corp. got off to a good start after prevailing in their first games in the 2017 JEM Company Ltd./Mobil Customer Appreciation Basketball League last Tuesday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

CUC pulled off a come-from-behind win over Joeten in the curtain-raiser, 72-69, while McDonald’s eased past Best Deal/RNV Construction in the second match, 80-65. CUC and McDonald’s joined opening day victors Docomo and TanHoldings 1 in the win column in Pool A.

After falling behind in the majority of the match and facing an 11-point deficit midway in the third, CUC fought back in the final canto to steal the win from Joeten. John Santos hit a clutch triple, while Frank Simada and Robert Lieto scored the team’s last two field goals to lift CUC to the 3-point win. Eugene Manglona also helped out in CUC’s fourth-quarter rally, scoring 6 of his 10 markers earlier in that period.

Joeten collapsed in the end, as it played the second half sans Sid Quan and Ferdie Tobias was held to 2 points after a strong game in the third quarter. Quan had to leave at halftime to suit up for another team in a playoff game at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium, while Tobias made only one field goal in the final canto after sizzling for 12 in the penultimate frame.

Meanwhile, in the second game, McDonald’s drew 20-point plus production from Sherwin Gaspar and Jon Macaranas to whip Best Deal/RNV Construction.

Gaspar had a team-high 22 points, while Macaranas chipped in 21 and their combined output offset the game-high 30 points of Andy Mortos for Best Deal/RNV Construction.

With Gaspar and Macaranas catching fire early, McDonald’s led right from the get-go and then played even better in the second half for to win its debut.

First Game
CUC 72 – Santos 20,Manglona 10, Lieto 8, Kaipat 8, Simada 7, Poquiz 4, Camacho 4, Pestillo 4, Mira 2.
Joeten 69 – Lauron 23, Tobias 18, Rogolifoi 15, Quan 9, Sambile 4.
Scoring by quarters: 13-21, 31-39, 54-58, 72-69.

Second Game
McDonald’s 80 – Gaspar 22, Macaranas 21, J. Achas 11, M. Achas 7, Gapor 4, Risua 4, C. Achas 2, Salinas 2.
Best Deal 65 – Mortos 30, Rueda 14, Odicta 6, Alfonso 6, Jumaquio 4, Nael 2, Cabalquinto 2.
Scoring by quarters: 20-13, 38-33, 58-48, 80-65.