Shirley’s, Kanoa share early lead

Shirley’s Coffee Shop’s Ariel Drilon pulls up for a jumper against a phalanx of Lower Base Warriors defenders during the second game in the Tan Holdings league last Friday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Kanoa Resort and Shirley’s Coffee Shop are in a tie for the early lead in the 2016 Tan Holdings Inter-Company Basketball League following another blowout wins against separate opponents last Friday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

Kanoa, which came from a whopping 85-point win victory over Lower Base Warriors in its debut, 125-40, this time eased past Pacific Oriental, Inc. in the curtain raiser, 87-58, to earn a 2-0 record—the same mark Shirley’s holds after a similar double-digit triumph against Lower Base, 64-47, in the second match.

Shirley’s got off to a rousing start against Lower Base, taking a 31-8 lead in the first half to set up another win via rout.

Aaron Pamintuan led Shirley’s in the first half, as he outgunned the entire Lower Base crew after scoring 13 points. Erick Dela Rosa and Angel Catungal then took over from Pamintuan in the second half to keep Shirley’s wide distance.

In the first game, Kanoa also leaned on three players—Douglas Schmidt and Matt and Ernest Duenas—to clobber POI. Schmidt finished with a game-high 29 points, while Matt and Ernest chipped in 22 and 20, respectively.

Kanoa built a 48-20 advantage in the first half, which Ernest capped with his 9 straight points, while Schmidt and Matt alternately hit baskets for their team in earlier part of the game. Schmidt then knocked in three consecutive triples after Matt opened the second half with a deuce to completely dominate POI.

In the third game, Mambas capitalized on a depleted Fiesta crew to eke out a 45-42 victory.

Djay Ong had 19 points for Mambas, which recovered from a 36-55 debut loss to Shirley’s.

Ong led Mambas to the close win after scoring 11 straight markers midway in the second half and the team’s last two field goals.

First Game
Kanoa 87 — Schmidt 29, M. Duenas 22, E. Duenas 20, Pablo 9, Agulto 2, Moses 2.
POI 58 — Santos 19, Tenepere 12, Arago 12, Villaluna 6, Yu 6, Mejia 3.
Scoring by halves: 48-20, 87-58.

Second Game
Mambas 45 — D. Ong 19, Rabago 6, De La Torre 4, J. Ong 4, Raho 4, Regis 2, Angeles 2, Chan 2.
Fiesta 42 —Matsutaro 15, Quizon 15, Macoto 6, Rivera 3, Maliwanag 3.
Scoring by halves: 22-17, 45-42.

Third Game
Shirley’s 64 — Dela Rosa 20, Pamintuan 13, Catungal 12, Nicdao 7, Palma 7, Pollisco 4, Drilon 2.
Lower Base 47 — Jinang 12, Bazinero 9, Omar 7, Salazar 6, Echavez 4, J. Benavente 3, Camu 2, Fujihira 2, Garcia 2.
Scoring by halves: 31-8, 64-47.