Toka, Rollers thwart foes

Toka’s Jason Lampkin drives against two Island Manpower defenders during the fourth quarter of their game in the QQ caging last Wednesday at the Garapan Basketball Court. (ROSELYN B. MONROYO)

Rollers pulled off an upset over the defending champion Blue Haus, 86-84, to improve to a 3-3 record for fifth place in the eight-team field with one more game left in the regular season. Toka finished the single-round robin preliminary with a 6-1 slate, following an 80-75 victory over Island Manpower in the second match. Toka tied JP World at first place, but the latter wins the tiebreak and will be seeded first in the single-elimination playoffs by virtue of its 99-83 triumph over the former last month.

Toka finished the regular season on a four-game winning streak, foiling Island Manpower’s bid for its fourth win after a big steal from Preston Basa down the stretch. With nine seconds left and Toka hanging on to a 2-point lead, 77-75, Island Manpower had possession and a chance to hit the equalizer or go-ahead basket. Pete Lizama made the inbound and passed the leather to Syl Teregeyo, who drove from the top key to the center, but his pocket was picked by Basa. Basa then dribbled toward their frontcourt and canned a trey at the buzzer to peg the final score.

Earlier before Teregeyo lost possession, Toka also made a defensive stop after the inbound play, as Barcinas intercepted Lizama’s pass to Butch Kaipat. Fortunately, for Island Manpower, Barcinas failed to hang on to the ball, which Lizama picked up. Lizama then got out of the sideline and used a screen from his teammate to pull up for a triple from the right key. He missed, but he was fouled. However, the referee ruled that the infraction was called before he attempted the shot, preventing Lizama from going to the line for three charities. Island Manpower was forced to do another inbound and failed to go for the basket with Basa stealing the leather from Teregeyo.
Besides doing the biggest defensive stop in the game, Basa also led Toka’s offense, as he scored a game-high 27 points. Jason Lampkin and Barcinas also finished in double figures with 18 and 14, respectively.

In the first match, the Rollers drew another big game from C.J. Morales to edge Blue Haus. Morales logged 27 points for his third straight 20-plus output this season. He, Prince Factor, Mike Espinosa, and Mike Arciaga made crucial baskets and free throws in the fourth quarter to hand Blue Haus its second loss and drop the defending champion to third place.

Blue Haus, which led by 3 at the end of the third, 63-66, lost the upper hand as they converted only four field goals against the seven of Rollers and had to bleed for points from the foul line. Blue Haus’ last five markers came from the stripe and all were made by Elmer Esdrelon.

First Game
Rollers 86 – Morales 27, Factor 17, Arciaga 13, Malonzo 10, Espinosa 5, Fidelino 4, Ano 2.
Blue Haus 84 – Esdrelon 18, Devero 17, Talania 10, De Dios 10, Demapan 10, Santos 7, Barbo 4, Aquino 2.
Scoring by quarters: 12-13, 41-43, 63-66, 86-84.

Second Game
Toka 80 – Basa 27, Lampkin 18, Barcinas 14, Joyner 9, Caro 4, Rabauliman 2.
Island Manpower 75 – Lizama 22, Bisana 12, Capalad 12, Teregeyo 9, Tobias 4, Standish 4, Hernaez 2, Libuw 2, Kaipat 2.
Scoring by quarters: 17-12, 39-31, 66-57, 80-75.