SCS grabs solo lead in DLX/Miller Lite caging

  The 2nd Domino Lux International Fraternity/Miller Lite Basketball Invitational Friendship League had its fourth overtime game early in the season with SCS Heavy Equipment Rental outlasting Smart Cagers, 88-84, last Monday night at the Gualo Rai Basketbal Court.

The victory was third in as many games for SCS, giving the team the solo No. 1 spot and one win lead over the Sunrisers (2-0). Smart Cagers fell to a 1-2 card.

Both squads had the chance to win the game in regulation, but missed crucial free throws, forcing SCS and Smart Cagers to play for five extra minutes.

Smart Cagers’ Edwin Santos had the opportunity to break the deadlock when he drove to the right baseline, made the basket, and drew a foul from Bon Tamayo, 77-77, with 10.3 seconds left in the fourth. Santos muffed the bonus shot and later committed his fifth foul against Jun Pantaleon on a loose ball play. Pantaleon trooped to the stripe for a pair of charities and missed both. Smart Cagers collared the rebound in the last 4.2 seconds and Rommel Usi threw a desperation shot from the backcourt and badly missed, sending the game in OT.

In the extra five minutes, foul troubles continued to hurt Smart Cagers, as they lost two more players and brought SCS to the 15-foot line several times. SCS drilled seven free throws in overtime with the last three sealing the deal for the team. Smart Cagers converted only two charities and faltered on a couple of second and even third attempts at the basket.

Smart Cagers lost despite leading at the end of the first three quarters. They were on top by three at the start of the fourth, 62-59, when Lizama and company slowly ate up the lead after getting several trips to the foul line. SCS went 9-for-12 from the stripe in the fourth, while Smart Cagers were 6-for-13.

Lizama paced SCS with his 23 points, while Rocyl Ritual and Glenn Aquino chipped in 18 and 15, respectively. Leo Galarse added 12 and Bon Tamayo contributed 11 to complete SCS’ balance scorng.

Pete Iguel led Smart Cagers with his 24 markers, but had limited touches and was scoreless in overtime.

QQ Rent A Car 80, Crystal Pure/Mekeni Abe 64

In the second game, QQ Rent A Car finally broke into the win column after a 0-2 start, following a 16-point victory over Crystal Pure/Mekeni Abe.

QQ Rent A Car pulled away midway in the second period, using its speed and outside shooting to beat Crystal Pure/Mekeni Abe. QQ Rent A Car also out-hustled Crystal Pure/Mekeni Abe on loose ball and offensive rebound plays en route to the easy win.

Scoring machines Lerio Pagarao and Wowie Abuel teamed up in the victory with the former logging 22 points and the latter firing 18. Eugene Mangali also tallied double figures with 15, while QQ Rent A Car’s bench contributed in the win, combining for 21 points against Crystal Pure/Mekeni Abe’s 10.

First Game

SCS 88 – Lizama 23, Ritual 18, Aquino 15, Galarse 12, Tamayo 11, Manalo 2, Pantaleon 1.

Smart Cagers 84 – Iguel 24, Peredo 12, Santos 12, De Dios 11, Inos 9, Usi 9, Dayrit 5.

Scoring by quarters: 15-18, 36-42, 59-62, 77-77, 88-84.

Second Game

QQ Rent A Car 80 – Pagarao 22, Abuel 18, Mangali 15, Paraiso 7, Mateo 6, Camacho 4, Cruz 2, Montes 2.

Crystal Pure/Mekeni Abe 64 – Bernardo 23, Mendoza 20, Miranda 10, Yabut 5, Cruz 2, Johnson 2.

Scoring by quarters: 21-15, 46-32, 65-47, 80-64.