Proa sweeps FGC to clinch title

 Jack Lizama came up big in Game 2 of the GBL IT&E Cup title series to lift Proa to a 104-76 victory and a sweep against FGC last Friday night at the Garapan Basketball Court.

The lanky forward sizzled for 31 points, including a 12-point explosion in the first quarter that gave Proa the needed push early on. Pete Iguel and Dan Barcinas added more problems on FGC’s defense as the two guards complemented Lizama’s impressive game, chipping in 28 and 16 markers in the lopsided Game 2 win. Proa won Game 1 via overtime, 106-90.

With Lizama on fire early in Game 2 and Iguel adding 10 points, Proa took the driver’s seat at the end of the opening canto, 24-20.

In the second quarter, it was Barcinas’ turn to shine, as he nailed a couple of treys to go with the eight points of Iguel. Then a late four-point string by Keoni Chariton in the second canto stretched Proa’s advantage to nine, 46-37.

FGC’s Kae Bernardo and Lerio Pagarao were kept in check in the first half as they only combined for 11 points. FGC leaned on Rex Yabut to fill the void and the burly forward scrambled for a dozen in the opening half.

After the break, Proa jumped out to a daunting 73-57 lead, as Lizama and company continued to make life difficult for FGC defenders. Proa fired four three-pointers in the third quarter to start the breakaway. Lizama and Barcinas drained one shot each from downtown and delivered seven points apiece in the push, while Josh Sablan came off the bench and connected a pair of three balls to close the period.

Bernardo found a small spark in the form of 10 points in the third canto, but Proa virtually shut down the rest of his teammates to nullify his effort.

Notably, Pagarao picked a bad time for an off day as time after time Proa prevented the speedster from streaking through the lane. He managed a whistle for a trip to the line every now and then, but struggled converting his free throws as well in Game 2. Yabut and Banjo Basila were unable to fill the big void and Rocyl Ritual, who was absent in Game 1, was a non-factor in Game 2, making only three points.

Proa went on protect the over 20-point lead throughout the fourth quarter en route to an easy cruise to the championship. Proa even dropped three more bombs from behind the arch at crunch time to seal the deal, while FGC’s miseries continued, as it had trouble even on getting good looks at the basket for the majority of the game. FGC’s ball handlers struggled against Proa’s feisty defense and the latter also ruled the rebound contest for the one-sided victory at the final buzzer.

Joining Lizama, Barcinas, Iguel, Sablan, and Chariton on the champion team are Mike Babauta, Quincy Johnson, Gino Libuw, Peter Mendiola, Kovin Ogumoro, Marvin Rabauliman, Joe Villacrusis, and Jesus Valdez. Rufino Aguon and Ed Manalili are the head and assistant coaches, respectively.

Lizama was later named the Finals MVP after leading Proa’s sweep.

“Jack really stepped up and hustled for all four quarters of Game 2. In addition to his hot shooting, he also played great defense and wrestled out I don’t know how many rebounds all night long,” Aguon said.

Aguon also hailed the rest of the team for wrapping up the series.

“I am really proud of the way our guys played tonight. They looked well rested and came ready for the sweep. We learned from the first game that stopping Bernardo and Pagarao was the key to dismantling their team and the chemistry our guys showed on the court together made the victory much sweeter,” the Proa coach said.

Pagarao was limited to 12 markers, while Bernardo still top-scored for Proa with 25, but they were hard earned points.

“We did not want to take anything for granted so I went ahead and called a timeout when we got a little sloppy in the third quarter. The decision also happened to play into our strategy of saving fuel in the tank for the pivotal fourth quarter,” Aguon added.

Proa 104 – Lizama 31, Iguel 28, Barcinas 16, Sablan 10, Rabauliman 6, Ogumoro 5, Chariton 4, Libuw 2, Mendiola 2.

FGC 76 – Bernardo 25, Yabut 16, Basila 14, Pagarao 12, Babauta 3, Morales 3, Ritual 3.

Scoring by quarters: 24-20, 46-37, 73-57, 104-76.