Toka takes Game 1 of QQ title series

Toka moved one win away from clinching the championship of the 2014 QQ Rent A Car Invitational Basketball League after downing JP World, 107-92, in Game 2 of their short title series last Wednesday night at the Garapan Basketball Court.

Toka will try to go for a sweep when it duels JP World anew in Game 2 of the best-of-three championship showdown today at 6:30pm.

The series opener was a game of spurts with Toka prevailing after thwarting JP World’s repeated rallies. Toka’s first run came midway in the second period when it went on a 9-0 scoring run, turning a slim 29-28 lead to a double-digit spread, 38-28. JP World then won the next exchange, 8-2, to move within 6, 34-40, but Toka closed out with a 9-0 tear to bring the lead back to twin digits at the break, 49-34.

The trend continued in the third period with Toka leading by as much as 19 on two occasions, 64-45, and 80-61, and JP World slicing the deficit to 12. Marlon Sison drilled 5 straight points to cut Toka’s lead to 12, 71-59, but the former answered with a 10-2 run in the last two minutes of that period to match its biggest advantage going into the last quarter.

In the final canto, JP World players felt the sense of urgency to get their act together in the hope of mounting a big comeback. Jun Estolas, Errol Peredo, and Gyles Ruluked joined forces and they managed to bring the lead down to single digits. Still behind by 16, 77-93, with 4:54 left in the fourth, JP World nailed 7 straight points to move within 9, 84-93. Estolas had 3 straight points off a drive and a split charity from a technical foul on Preston Basa. Basa, who was caught shoving Freddie Pelisamen in the inbound play after Estolas’ basket, was eventually ejected for excessive complaining. JP World’s 4 other points came from Ruluked and Peredo.

With JP World threatening, Toka pressed the panic button and when the game resumed, big man Jimmy Tudela canned a rally halting basket off a pick and roll play with Marvin Rabauliman. Tudela went on to hit two more key baskets, as he did a great job moving without the ball to counter the two more field goals from Ruluked and Peredo. Tudela’s third basket gave Toka another double-digit spread, 99-88, and after Estolas muffed a hurried layup, Rabauliman got away from Peredo for a layup, while Jack Lizama hit a baseline jumper in their ensuing offensive set to seal the Game 1 win.
Rabauliman led Toka with his 25 points, while Barcinas played in no relief and added 20 points besides his several steals and assists. Tudela finished with 18, while Lizama contributed 13.

Estolas top-scored for JP World with his 24 points, while Ruluked and Peredo chipped in 21 and 15, respectively. Freddie Pelisamen had a quiet 11 points, as he struggled against Toka defenders. Pelisamen, who made 34 points in their semis win over Island Manpower, made only one triple, was scoreless in the first period, and hit no more than two field goals in each of the four quarters. He also missed several free throws and often faced multiple defenders on his way to the basket.

Meanwhile, Island Manpower finished third in the tournament after edging Blue Haus in the consolation game, 77-74.

First Game
Island Manpower 77 – Capalad 16, Norita 16, Bisana 9, Kaipat 8, Standish 8, Lizama 6, Teregeyo 6, Tobias 4.
Blue Haus 74 – Talania 25, Esdrelon 18, De Dios 17, Santos 8, Barbo 3, Garcia 2.
Scoring by quarters: 22-17, 42-36, 60-55, 77-74.

Second Game
Toka 107 – Rabauliman 25, Barcinas 20, Tudela 18, Lizama 13, Basa 9, Joyner 9, Caro 5, Lampkin 3.
JP World 92 – Estolas 24, Ruluked 21, Peredo 15, Pelisamen 11, Sison 7, Olaitiman 5, Paraiso 4, Manalo 3, De Guzman 2, Camacho 1.
Scoring by quarters: 23-18, 49-34, 80-61, 107-92.