Tan Holdings vs Joeten in finals

Tan Holdings’ Matt Duenas drives against McDonald’s Gil Gapor, right, and Michael Achas during Game 2 of their best-of-three semis series in the JP World caging last Monday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Tan Holdings arranged a finals date against Joeten after whipping McDonald’s, 77-49, in the deciding Game 3 of their semis series in the 2nd JP World Corp. Customer Appreciation Basketball League last Wednesday night at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

The highly favored Tan Holdings, which missed a series sweep last Monday after McDonald’s pulled the rug under the top-ranked squad in Game 2, 75-74, made sure there will be no more upset, dominating its foe right at the get-go and delivering the killer blows in the final quarter en route to the easy win.

Tan Holdings held McDonald’s to three field goals in the first period to build an early double-digit lead, 17-7. R.J. Nonato lifted Tan Holdings in the opening frame, recording 6 of his 12 markers in that period. Four other Tan Holdings players scored in the first canto, including Adrian Palacios, who missed the first two games in the best-of-three semis series.

Tan Holdings then widened the gap further in the second quarter, 41-19 with Jarett Matsutaro this time anchoring the team’s offense as he dropped all his 12 markers in that frame. Matsutaro, who only tallied 2 points in their sorry loss in Game 2, drew help from Matt Duenas and three other teammates to give Tan Holdings a comfortable 22-point halftime advantage.

McDonald’s fell into a deeper hole in the second canto despite making two more field goals, as shooters Michael and Joseph Achas could not get into their rhythm and big man Gil Gapor was limited to 2 points. Before their lackluster performance in the first half of Game 3, Michael, Joseph, and Gapor combined for 50 points in their Game 2 upset against Tan Holdings.

Gapor then stepped up in the third period, firing 11 points to bring the deficit down to 14, 40-54, going into the final frame.

However, that was the closest that McDonald’s could get, as Tan Holdings saved the best for last with Palacios and Duenas teaming up for their team’s strong finish. The two former Saipan Southern High School standouts combined for 13 of Tan Holdings’ 23 markers in the fourth quarter or 4 more than the total output of the entire McDonald’s crew. McDonald’s made only four field goals in the fourth quarter and 5 of their 9 markers came from Gapor.

Gapor ended up top-scoring for McDonald’s with his 18 points, while McClain was the only other player on the squad to hit double figures with 12, but he got only 2 points in the fourth canto. Michael finished with 7, a far cry from his 25 points in Game 2. Joe Ayuyu Jr., who had 10 points in Game 2, was held to 2 markers in the rubber match.

While McDonald’s relied mostly on big men Gapor and McClain Achas, Tan Holdings got contributions from several players. Duenas was in his usual deadly form, nailing a team-high 18 points, while four of his teammates also hit double figures and three more totaled 12 markers.

Meanwhile, Game 1 of the best-of-three title series between Tan Holdings and Joeten will begin on Monday. Game 2 is set for Wednesday, while Game 3, if necessary is scheduled next Friday. Joeten made it to the finals early after sweeping Commonwealth Utilities Corp. in their own best-of-three semis showdown, earning 15-point winning margins in Games 1 and 2, 96-81, and 90-75.

Tan Holdings 77 – Duenas 18, Matsutaro 12, Nonato 12, Quizon 12, Palacios 11, Rivera 6, Esdrelon 4, Pablo 2,

McDonald’s 49 – Gapor 18, Mc. Achas 12, J. Achas 9, Mi. Achas 7, Ayuyu 2, C. Achas 2.

Scoring by quarters: 17-7, 41-19, 54-40, 77-49.