Rollers, Hoops pull off close wins

The Rollers and Hoopaholics held their ground in the fourth quarter to thwart separate opponents in the 2014 QQ Rent A Car Invitational Basketball League last Monday night at the Garapan Basketball Court.

The Hoops edged the Rebels in the first game, 75-74, while the Rollers nipped High-Five, 76-74.

Rollers’ C.J. Morales tries to elude the defense of High-Five’s Ken McCain during the second quarter of their game in the QQ caging last Monday night at the Garapan Basketball Court. (ROSELYN B. MONROYO)

C.J. Morales and Prince Factor made some defensives stops in the homestretch and scored the Rollers’ last 3 points to lift their team to the 1-point win, while High-Five committed a couple of errors in the closing minutes to absorb its fourth straight loss.

Morales’ drive against Tim Wesley and Ken McCain broke the last deadlock, 74-72, 1:48 left on the clock. Earlier at the two-minute mark, Don Brennan made a basket from the baseline after a drop off pass from Derrick Aughenbaugh to tie the match, 72-all.

High-Five tried to even up the count anew, but the Rollers tightened up its defense from the backcourt, forcing McCain to throw a hurried pass to Charlie Peters, who was rushing toward their frontcourt. The pass was a bit strong and Morales beat Peters to the ball, returning possession to the Rollers, which upped its lead to 3, 75-72, after Factor was fouled on the other end and split his free throws, less than a minute left in the game.

A quick 2-point basket from Peter’s post-up move on Mike Espinosa kept High-Five in the game, 74-75, and the latter had a chance to grab the lead with another field goal after the Rollers was called for a 24-second shot clock violation. However, McCain had butterfingers, as he lost the leather after receiving a pass from Bobby Coldeen at the post with Factor guarding him.

A Rollers muffed offensive set gave High-Five another opportunity to seize the lead, but Brennan’s inbound pass hit Wesley’s knee before the ball rolled out to the sideline. Before that miscue, McCain was jockeying for position at the left block against Factor and both players appeared to be falling on the ground with contact, but the referees let them go.

With another High-Five booboo, the Rollers got the ball back with eight seconds left in the game and the former was forced to give up two fouls to stop the clock and test the latter’s nerves at the free throw line. Dixon Kwon trooped to the line and hit the first one before intentionally missing the second with two seconds left in the match. Augenbaugh collared the rebound, but ran out of time to pull up for a desperation shot.

Meanwhile, in the first game, the Hoops survived the Rebels’ third-quarter rally to eke out the close win.

Ahead by twin digits at the break, 39-28, the Hoops were threatened in the third period, as the Rollers moved within a point, 55-56, off a 27-17 scoring run that canto. The game went back and forth since then, but the Hoops escaped with the victory with Kelvin Fitial, Dexter Tenorio, and James Villacrusis hitting timely baskets. The trio combined for 15 of the Hoops’ 19 points in the fourth quarter.

With the win, the Hoops snapped their four-game losing skid and improved their record to 2-5 for sixth place in the eight-team field. JP World leads the league with its 6-1 slate, followed by Blue Haus (5-1), Toka (5-1), Island Manpower (4-3), Rollers (2-3), High-Five (1-6), and Rebels (0-6).

First Game
Hoopaholics 75 – Villacrusis 25, Fitial 12, Lauron 10, Tenorio 9, Itibus 6, Manibusan 6, Cabrera 2, Mendez 2, Villagomez 2.
Rebels 74 – Babauta 11, Litulumar 11, Norita 9, Deleon Guerrero 9, Manglona 5, Matsutaro 5, Teregeyo 4, Lisua 3.
Scoring by quarters: 14-13, 39-28, 56-55, 75-74.

Second Game
Rollers 76 – Morales 28, Kwon 10, Ano 7, Cayading 7, Factor 6, Fidelino 5, Espinosa 5, Nakayama 3, Arciaga 2.
High-Five 74 – McCain 19, Pangelinan 13, Park 11, Brennan 10, Peters 8, Augenbaugh 6, Wesley 5, Coldeen 1.
Scoring by quarters: 18-20, 37-40, 65-60, 76-74.