TBK, Destroyers keep q’finals hopes alive

Lerio Pagarao, seen here driving against a Blue Haus defender, scored 23 points in TBK Mechanics’ 88-84 win over Gliders in the DL Corp. caging last Friday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Destroyers downed Maplas in the curtain-raiser, 93-87, while TBK prevailed over Gliders in the nightcap, 88-84. TBK and Destroyers now hold 4-4 and 3-4 records, respectively, and are battling the two quarterfinals seats against Gliders (4-3) and defending champion Island Floral (3-4). The outright quarterfinals tickets will be given to the No. 3 and 4 finishers in the round-robin, nine-team league, while the two semis slots are allotted to the Top 2 placers. The No. 5 to 8 placers will then play in the first round of the playoffs and fight for two remaining quarterfinal berths, while the last finisher will be eliminated.

Destroyers leaned on the trio of Elmer Esdrelon, Matt Duenas, and Junar Guiab to boost its chances for the contested quarterfinals seats. The three players scored at least 20 points with Esdrelon firing 28 and Duenas chipping in 25. Guiab added 20. They combined for 15 points in the second quarter where Destroyers took control of the match, turning a two-point cushion to a 12-point advantage, 49-37.

Duenas and Esdrelon added 7 more points each in the third quarter to thwart Maplas’ comeback bid and kept the upper hand, 70-64. Destroyers’ 1-2 punch remained on target in the fourth and alternately hit crucial free throws to preserve the lead and the win.

In the second game, TBK gained cushion in the third period for the 4-point winning margin.

Behind by a hair at the end of the second canto, 42-43, TBK had its best production in the third (31 points) to grab the driver’s seat, 73-65.

Lerio Pagarao provided the spark on TBK’s rally early in the third quarter, scoring 10 points, while Rodney Catalla closed out the quarter with back-to-back triples to steal the upper hand from Gliders. TBK went on to keep the lead in the fourth with Pagarao making timely baskets in the homestretch, scoring the team’s last five markers.

Pagarao paced TBK with his 23 points and drew enough support from three of his teammates. Ivan Devero added 16, while Catalla and Ed Pangelinan contributed 14 and 12, respectively, Melvin Cadiang had 23 points to lead Gliders, which played without Jun Estolas.

First Game
Destroyers 93 – Esdrelon 28, Duenas 25, Guiab 20, Santos 5, Fernandez 3, Bautista 3, De Dios 2.

Maplas 87 – Mendoza 25, Berline 16, Fernando 15, M. Usi 8, Guiang 8, Aniciete 4, Odicta 3, Cortez 2, Claveria 2.

Scoring by quarters: 27-22, 49-37, 70-64, 93-87.

Second Game
TBK Mechanics 88 – Pagarao 23, I. Devero 16, Catalla 14, Pangelinan 12, Fitial 7, N. Mateo 6, Velasco 2.

Gliders 84 – Cadiang 23, Vilanueva 14, Demapan 12, Cabrera 14, Palacios 10, Saturno 7.

Scoring by quarters: 21-23, 42-43, 73-65, 88-84.