Toka hands Blue Haus first loss

Toka?s Jason Lampkin gets away for a fastbreak layup against Blue Haus? Elmer Esdrelon during the third quarter of their game in the QQ caging last Wednesday night at the Garapan Basketball Court. (ROSELYN B. MONROYO)

There is no more unbeaten team in the 2014 QQ Rent A Car Invitational Basketball League, as Toka mustered an 83-77 victory over defending champion Blue Haus last Wednesday night at the Garapan Basketball Court.
Toka snapped Blue Haus’ four-game winning streak, while getting its third win in four games. Toka handed Blue Haus its first loss after having a strong finish and holding the latter to just one field goal in the last 5:14 of the match. The triumph also averted a Toka collapse, as it bungled a double-digit lead midway in the second period before showing toughness in the home stretch to halt Blue Haus’ run.

Toka led by as much 15 in the second canto, 32-17, after a 10-3 scoring binge in the first four minutes and change of that frame and drawing 6 points from Jack Lizama. Blue Haus pressed the panic button and when the game resumed it launched a 13-0 run capped by Darwin Barbo’s and-1 play to get back to business. The second canto ended with Toka just ahead by 4 points, 42-38.

It was a close battle from thereon, as the opposing teams took turns at the driver’s seat. Blue Haus had the upper hand the last time at the 75-73 count after Brendon Talania canned a short jumper, going into the last five minutes and several seconds of the final canto. A triple from Jason Lampkin from the left corner put Toka on top and the team hung in there, as Blue Haus committed several errors in the closing minutes.

A split free throw from Marvin Rabauliman made it a 2-point game, 77-75, while Blue Haus had a chance to force a deadlock past the two-minute mark of the fourth, but was called for a 3-second violation. The offensive lapse started with Elmer Esdrelon anchoring an attack and initially going for a jumper from the left baseline before dishing the ball down to Barbo, who along with his two other teammates were already in the paint, positioning for the offensive rebound. With Esdrelon’s last-minute hesitation, referee Noel Delos Santos charged Barbo with a 3-second violation, nullifying the latter’s point-blank basket.

Esdrelon contested the call and was later called for a technical foul for excessive complaining. Preston Basa trooped to the foul line, but split his charities, keeping Blue Haus’ hopes alive, as Toka lost the leather in the ensuing play. However, the defending champion also made an error on the other end and it was a big one, as Barbo had an open lane for a drive, but fumbled the ball even before he took off for the basket. Rabauliman picked up the loose ball and threw a long pass to Lizama. The heave was a bit strong, but Lizama’s long hands came in a handy, as he reached out to save the ball and stepped back for the uncontested layup.

Toka extended its lead to 5, 80-75, with 37 seconds left and Blue Haus was obliged to call its last time out. When the match resumed, Blue Haus had another miscue, as Talania lost the ball at the sideline after getting the inbound pass from Esdrelon.

Another split free throws from Basa and a drive from Rabauliman sealed it for Toka, while Lerio Pagarao, who loitered at the bench so long in the fourth quarter, ended Blue Haus’ drought with his short jumper, just 11 second remaining on the clock.

Meanwhile, in the first game, JP World (4-1) also showed poise in the fourth quarter to edge Island Manpower (3-2), 80-78.

Freddie Pelisamen converted a triple entering into the last two minutes of the match to give JP World enough cushion, while Island Manpower missed several chances for a comeback after failing to cash-in on three shots from downtown.

Pelisamen’s crucial trey came when JP World was hanging on to a shaky 76-75. He then stole the ball from Island Manpower in the ensuing play and was fouled, but muffed both charities, keeping the latter in the game. An errant pass from Syl Teregeyo to Jerome Norita in a fastbreak play returned possession to JP World, which extended the lead to four off a split from Jun Estolas.

Island Manpower sued for time and Norita went for a quick trey when the game resumed, but missed the shot. A JP World error returned possession to Island Manpower and this time Cecilio Bisana tried his luck from beyond the arc, but to no avail, while Peter Lizama also pulled up for a three when they got the leather back and missed, too.

JP World went on to run the clock down before going for a shot and muffing it, leaving Island Manpower with six seconds left to orchestrate a play. White Capalad then drilled a triple from the right corner with one second left in the game to peg the final score.

First Game
JP World 80 – Pelisamen 19, J. Estolas 17, Camacho 8, Ruluked 8, Manalo 7, D. Estolas 4, Peredo 4, Sison 3, Deocares 2, Paraiso 2.
Island Manpower 78 – Norita 20, Bisana 14, Capalad 9, Tabora 8, Teregeyo 6, Lizama 5, Hernaez 4, Tobias 3, Libuw 3.
Scoring by quarters: 24-17, 46-30, 60-59, 80-78.

Second Game
Toka 83 – Lizama 27, Rabauliman 17, Barcinas 13, Lampkin 7,Basa 6, Joyner 5, Caro 4.
Blue Haus 77 – Pagarao 17, Esdrelon 15, Barbo 12, Demapan 10, Talania 9, Devero 6, Berline 3, De Dios 2.
Scoring by quarters: 22-14, 42-38, 64-66, 83-77.