Shirley’s, McDonald’s stretch winning run

Shirley’s Coffee Shop’s Erick Dela Rosa powers his way into the basket against Public School System’s Mel Manibusan, left, and Jerry Diaz, third left, during the fourth quarter of their game in the JP World caging last Wednesday night at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

McDonald’s edged Docomo Pacific in the first game, 57-55, to improve to 3-0, while Shirley’s earned the same perfect mark after outlasting Public School System in the second game, 102-88.

Shirley’s managed to bring home a 14-point winning margin after catching PSS off guard in the early minutes of the fourth quarter and halting the latter’s late rally. Shirley’s surprised PSS with a 10-2 scoring in the first one and a half minute of the fourth canto to turn a six-point advantage at the end of the third, 75-69, to 14, 85-71. Lerio Pagarao kicked off the final frame with five straight points, while Erick Dela Rosa and Matt Duenas hit the two other field goals. Bobby Coldeen Jr. made the lone field goal for PSS as he scored a fastbreak layup off a steal.

With Shirley’s threatening to pull away, PSS coach Bob Coldeen Sr. called a time out and when the game resumed his crew responded with its own rally, a 13-4 run, to cut the deficit to five, 84-89, 4:04 left on the clock.

After losing the double-digit spread it was Shirley’s turn to press the panic button and after the brief break, it scored a string of five points in less than a minute with Pagaro making a free throw and a layup and Sean Rabasto pulling away for another fastbreak play. In an instant, Shirley’s advantage was back to double digits and it kept the safe distance, as PSS was held to four points and one field goal in the remaining minutes of the match.

PSS absorbed its second loss in three games, as it ran out of steam after playing catch up all night. PSS fell behind by as much as 13 points in the first half and faced an 11-point deficit at the break, 37-48, after missing the services of Preston Basa, who was playing in another league. Basa reported for duty in the third and he and Joe Villacrusis brought PSS back into the game before Shirley’s strong start in the fourth foiled Basa and company’s comeback bids.

In the first game, McLain Achas scored 8 points, including the last six markers of McDonald’s to keep the team’s clean slate.

Mike Achas also drilled crucial baskets in the fourth period to lift McDonald’s to victory in a low-scoring game. Mike nailed three field goals in the final canto and finished in twin digits with his 11. McLain led McDonald’s with his 19 markers, while Tony Diaz had 29 for Docomo, which has yet to win in three games.

First Game
McDonald’s 57 – Mc. Achas 19, Mi. Achas 11, Cruz 9, Gapor 8, L. Achas 4, C. Achas 2, Corpuz 2.

Docomo 55 – Diaz 29, Hayes 9, Sanchez 5, Sanciangco 5, White 3, McCale 1, Deleon Guerrero 1.

Scoring by quarters: 12-11, 27-23, 42-40, 57-55.

Second Game
Shirley’s 102 – Duenas 34, Dela Rosa 18, Pagarao 21, Rabasto 14, Esdrelon 11, Pamintuan 4, Manibusan 1.

PSS 88 – Basa 21, Vilacrusis 16, Manibusan 13, Cabrera 10, Diaz 7, Coldeen 6, Mendez 6, Itibus 4, Villagomez 3, Gunto 2.

Scoring by quarters: 27-14, 48-37, 75-69, 102-88.