QQ Rent A Car, Gen Cup prevail

QQ Rent A Car’s Riley Buenaventura, left, and Joannie Paraiso, right, challenge the shot of Shirley’s Coffee Shop’s Ester Jones during the second half of their women’s division game in the TanHoldings holiday caging last Saturday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

QQ Rent A Car and Gen Cup played better in the second half to top their respective foes in the 2016 TanHoldings Christmas Basketball Tournament last Saturday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

Gen Cup edged 670 Thunder in the curtain-raiser, 50-48, to gain its first win in three games in the boys U17 division, while QQ Rent A Car also earned its first victory following a 37-18 triumph over Shirley’s Coffee Shop in the second match in the women’s category.

QQ Rent A Car improved its shooting in the final 20 minutes of play, which started with the team just ahead by 3 points, 15-12. The Mark and Catherine Toves-coached QQ Rent A Car made 11 field goals in the second half against only three from Shirley’s (0-3) en route to the former’s 9-point victory.

Shirley’s has yet to barge into the win column as it went scoreless against QQ Rent A Car in the first eight minutes and change of the second half. A banked shot from Ester Jones ended Shirley’s silence, but it was not enough to spark a comeback, as QQ Rent A Car managed to gain enough cushion to get the win.

Theresa Toves and Louisa Han hit double figures for QQ Rent A Car with 12 and 10, respectively, while Ester and Joy Jones added 6 each.

In the first women’s division match, Fiesta Resort & Spa took the solo lead in the eight-team field after dominating CTSI, 46-28.

Fiesta now has a 2-0 record to take the top spot in the team standings, while CTSI slid to second with its 2-1 mark.

Chevy Kate Alipio did most of the damage for Fiesta as she finished with a game-high 23 points. He led Fiesta’s breakaway in the second half where he scored 13 points, including 11 of the team’s last 13 markers.

In the first boys U16 division game, Gen Cup leaned on the strong offensive game of John Paul Cruz to slip past 670 Thunder.

Cruz sizzled for 22 points and hit clutch baskets in the homestretch. He had 4 of Gen Cup’s last 5 markers to complete the squad’s recovery as they battled back from a 10-point halftime deficit.

John Elchico also provided help, nailing 4 free throws and making 6 straight markers in their second half rally, while Zhao Cheng’s early baskets kept Gen Cup afloat in the first.
The 670 Thunder, which led by double digits at the break, 23-13, fell to a 1-2 record after its second half collapse.

U16
Gen Cup 50 — Cruz 22, Cheng 11, Elchico 8, Sacdalan 5, Cai 4.
670 Thunder 48 — Ruiz 14, Bravo 11, Litusquen 10, Linaogo 6, Magat 3, Francisco 2, Dico 2.
Scoring by halves: 23-13, 50-48.

WOMEN’S
First Game
Fiesta Resort 46 — Alipio 23, Tuazon 10, Pagarao 4, Francisco 3, Phan 2, Joyce 2, Ito 2.
CTSI 28 — Kautz 14, Castillo 5, Camacho 4, Espinosa 2, Iriarte 2.
Scoring by halves: 27-16, 46-28.

Second Game
QQ Rent A Car 37 — Toves 12, Han 10, Alcantara 9, Chinen 4, Bucalig 2.
Shirley’s 18 — E. Jones 6, J. Jones 6, R. Jones 2, Muna 4.
Scoring by halves: 15-12, 37-18.