Shirley’s takes JP World caging crown

Shirley’s finally ended its finals misfortunes after clinching the championship in the 2014 JP World Corp. Customer Appreciation Basketball League, following its 91-83 victory over Micronesian Brokers, Inc. in the deciding Game 3 of their title series last Monday night at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

Shirley’s, which had runner-up finishes in the inter-hotel and Tan Holdings leagues this year, came back from an 8-point deficit in the fourth quarter to take its first championship trophy this season. MBI/Anchor, on the other hand, failed to complete the series comeback after forcing the do-or-die Game 3 with a 93-89 win in Game 2, as it was held to 6 points and two field goals in the last eight minutes and change of the rubber.

MBI/Anchor was still in control of the match, 77-69, with 8:24 left on the clock before Shirley’s made the rally. The Shirley’s fightback started with Sean Rabasto intercepting Andy Viola’s inbound pass to Pete Lizama and going strong to the basket to bring the lead down to two possessions.

Shirley’s went on to outgun MBI in the more than eight-minute stretch, 18-2, as Lerio Pagarao’s open court showmanship finally did wonders for the eventual champion. He drilled 8 points in that run with his two straight coast-to-coast layups giving Shirley’s a 4-point cushion, 81-77, after Matt Duenas’ split charity forced only the fifth deadlock in the game. Duenas also nailed back-to-back baskets in that scoring spree, which Rabasto capped with another steal and a layup, lifting Shirley’s to an 87-79, with 1:43 left in the game.

MBI/Anchor’s lone field goal in that collapse came from an Art Trajano putback at the 2:39 mark of the fourth canto, while the other field goal was courtesy of Angelo Fernando’s triple with 19.9 seconds remaining on the clock and Shirley’s already celebrating at the sidelines. Fernando also scored MBI/Anchor’s lone free throw in that drought and had a miserable second half after sizzling for 14 points in the first 20 minutes of play. Fernando, who towed MBI/Anchor to the Game 2 win with his 28 points, made only two field goals in the entire second half, was held to three free throws in the third, and missed a couple of charities in the fourth.

Fernando’s sparring partner, Ivan Devero, also struggled in the payoff period, failing to score a single basket in the pivotal canto after finishing the third with a buzzer-beating basket off Pete Lizama’s touchdown pass. Devero’s shot brought control of the game back to MBI/Anchor, 70-65, after Shirley’s momentarily stole the lead, 65-64.

With Devero and Fernando out of sync in the fourth period, Capad tried to step but had little success, as he made only one triple in that frame. He kept on shooting from downtown in the last two minutes, but went 0-for-3 with his last attempt hitting the side of the board. Capalad got the offensive rebound, but ran out of space at the baseline, returning possession to Shirley’s and that was it for MBI/Anchor as he hugged Duenas before the inbound play with the eventual champion enjoying a 89-80 advantage, 38.2 ticks to go in the match.

Pagarao top-scored for Shirley’s with his 26, a big hike from his 10 markers in the Game 2 loss, while Duenas added 22. Elmer Esdrelon and Rabasto also finished in twin digits with 16 and 10, respectively. Vince Manibusan had only 4 points, but his several offensive rebounds in the fourth quarter gave Shirley’s multiple chances to score. Rommel Usi and Joseph Aguilar completed Shirley’s box score, as they combined for 5.

Capalad led MBI/Anchor with his 20 points, while Fernando and Devero still had double figures with 18 and 17, respectively. Pete Lizama, who had 15 in Game 2, was held to 7 in the deciding match.

Shirley’s 91 – Pagarao 26, Duenas 22, Esdrelon 16, Rabasto 10, Manibusan 4, Usi 3, Aguilar 2.

MBI/Anchor 83 – Capalad 20, Fernando 18, Devero 17, Lizama 7, Viola 4, Zapanta 4, Trajano 2.

Scoring by quarters: 16-21, 45-46, 65-70, 91-83.