TBK, Island Manpower enter semis

Island Manpower’s Syl Teregeyo drives against Docomo Pacific’s Marlon Sison, left, and Jose Tudela during the third quarter of their playoff game in the DL Corp. caging last Tuesday night at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

TBK routed the Pelicans, 102-88, in the first quarterfinal match last Thursday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium, while Island Manpower also eased past deposed champion Docomo Pacific in the second game, 102-88, to march into the semifinals. Island Manpower will play in the first semis tiff tonight against Shocker Nation at 6pm, while TBK will challenge the undefeated San Antonio in the second Final Four pairing at 8pm.

A rousing start allowed TBK to coast to the easy win, as it led by double digits at the end of the first period, 27-12. Christian Devero anchored TBK’s strong start, scoring 8 of his 12 points in the first quarter, while Rodney Catalla hit two early triples.

TBK maintained the comfortable lead in the last three quarters, as he came in late for the Pelicans. Luizi Reyes reported for duty only in the fourth period and though he scored 9 points and the Pelicans outgunned TBK in that canto, 32-21, these were not enough to overhaul the big deficit that stood at 35 after the first three quarters, 56-81. Trevor Ogumoro also came in late in the final canto and was scoreless.

The absence of some of the Pelicans’ key players made it hard for them to match TBK’s firepower. TBK’s offense had multiple options with Jake Quitugua leading the way with his 24 points. Jerome Reyes chipped in 16, Ivan Devero added 15, and his brother Christian contributed 12. Three other TBK players nailed at least five points apiece.

In the second game, Island Manpower’s guns were also blazing, as it surpassed the century mark to blow out and dethrone Docomo.

Island Manpower had a jackrabbit start, sizzling for 35 points in the first period, but led by only 6, as Docomo countered the former’s hot shooting, drilling 29 markers. Jerome Norita was on target for Island Manpower, firing 16 points, while James Villacrusis led Docomo with his 9 markers.

In the second frame, Island Manpower slowed down a bit, but still had 20-plus points, recording 26. Norita was still at it and got help from Ed Pangilinan, Syl Teregeyo, and Cecilio Bisana, who combined for 19 markers to outscore the entire Docomo team and hand Island Manpower a comammanding 61-41 halftime edge.

Docomo was held to 12 point in the second canto, nailing only four field goals and drawing more than 2 points from only one player—James Villacrusis (6 points). It was a tough uphill climb for Docomo from thereon and the deposed champion never made headway in the second half to mount a comeback.

First Game
TBK 102 – Quitugua 24, Reyes 16, I. Devero 15, C. Devero 12, Catalla 9, Mateo 7, Santos 5, Velasco 2.
Pelicans 88 – Galarse 18, Camacho 16, Brennan 16, Santos 15, Babauta 13, Reyes 9, Yamada 6, Namelo 2.
Scoring by quarters: 27-12, 56-33, 81-56, 102-88.

Second Game
Island Manpower 102 – Reyes 26, Bisana 18, Teregeyo 12, Pangelinan 12, Capalad 6, Tabora 6, Lizama 3, Kaipat 2, Mateo 2.
Docomo Pacific 86 – Villacrusis 25, Diaz 15, Sanciangco 11, Berline 8, Sison 7, Hayes 7, Camacho 7.
Scoring by quarters: 35-29, 61-41, 81-69, 102-86.