Pacific Postal stuns Kensington; Armatech survives 2OT

Pacific Postal Plus dealt Kensington Hotel its first loss after pulling off an upset, 68-62, during the curtain-raiser in the IT&E Emon Masonic Lodge No. 179 Mixed Masters Brotherhood Basketball League last Wednesday at the Koblerville Gymnasium.

Kensington boasted an undefeated record of 3-0 before facing Pacific Postal, which improved to an even 2-2 mark after stunning its opponent.

The match was close throughout the game, but Pacific Postal ultimately came out on top because of its stiff zone defense.

“We clamped down on defense. We stuck to our zone defense because they have many big players and we just had to hustle in the middle,” player coach Dennis Vallo said.

Gener Pineda carried much of the scoring load for Pacific Postal with his 28 points. John Matos contributed with 10 points, while Jestoni Pineda and Rommel Usi chipped in with 8 apiece with the latter dropping 6 of his total output in the fourth period.

Meanwhile, Arnold Arellano, June Alipio Sr., and Larry Sharry each scored in double figures for Kensington with 20, 14, and 10, respectively.

In other results, Armatech escaped with a 69-65 double overtime win over Imperial Pacific International in the second game.

While Armatech pushed its record to 2-2 after the victory, IPI suffered its fourth straight loss of the season and is still winless.

Stephen Tolosa scored all five of Armatech’s points in the first overtime, while June Alipio Jr. made the team’s last 8 markers in regulation. In the second overtime, five different players hit the board for Armatech.

Alipio finished with 18 points, while Renren Gaviola, Bernard Montano, and Tolosa contributed 16, 11, and 9, respectively.

“We came out victorious because of our teamwork, and [because] our tenacity and focus were there,” said player-coach Amor Zapanta, who made a free throw that sealed it for Armatech.

Aljonmar led IPI’s losing cause with his 18 points, while Henry Cruzada added 16.

First Game
Pacific Postal 68 — G. Pineda 28, Matos 10, J. Pineda 8, Usi 8, Brocano 5, Odicta 5, Abanlog 4.

Kensington 62 — Arellano 20, Alipio 14, Sharry 10, Manzano 4, Marcelo 4, Webster 3, Lansang 4, De Guzman 1.

Scoring by quarters: 10-10, 22-23, 43-38, 68-62.

Second Game
Armatech 69 — Alipio 18, Gaviola 16, Montano 11, Tolosa 9, Asuhan 5, Valencia 2, Malasarte 4, Zapanta 4.

IPI 65 — Aljonmar 18, Cruzada 16, Barnales 9, Opchimar 9, Oduina 4, Saint 4.

Scoring by quarters: 14-14, 35-33 41-40, 54-54, 63-63 (1OT), 69-65 (2OT).