Two in a row for JP World, Island Manpower

JP World and Island Manpower went for the killer blows in the second quarter en route to downing separate foes in the 2014 QQ Rent A Car Invitational Basketball League last Friday night at the Garapan Basketball Court.
Island Manpower played in the curtain-raiser and topped the Hoopaholics, 75-65, while JP World thumped Toka in the second match, 99-83. Island Manpower bagged its second straight win after a 0-2 start, while JP World also earned back-to-back wins and third in four games. The Hoops fell to a 1-4 slate, while Toka absorbed its first loss in three matches.

Toka seemed to boost its chances for a third consecutive win when it led JP World after the first quarter, 25-17. However, JP World wiped out the deficit right in the next period with a pivotal 30-13 scoring run in the second frame. JP World battled back quickly, as it drew at least two field goals each from five players.

Ahead by 9 at halftime, 47-38, JP World stretched the advantage to twin digits, as Toka failed to stop Freddie Pelisamen from creating damage on the latter’s defense. Pelisamen knocked in two triples and scored 10 points in the third period alone to give JP World a 67-53 lead, entering the final canto.

Pelisamen was not done yet, as he saved his best for last, drilling 15 in the final canto to finish with 38 points, just 3 points shy of his season-high 41 markers made in their 86-75 win over High-Five last week.

Meanwhile, Island Manpower also leaned on its second-quarter assault en route to the double-digit winning margin against the slumping Hoopaholics.

Up by only a deuce at the end of the opening canto, 18-16, Island Manpower outgunned the Hoops in the second frame, 27-14, to wrap up the half with a promising 45-30 advantage. Cecilio Bisana led the breakaway, as he scored 10 of his 16 markers in that second quarter, while Pedro Lizama added 6 points off two triples and Jerome Norita chipped in 5.

Island Manpower hung in there, preserving the twin-digit lead with Norita putting the finishing touches on the team’s victory. Norita sizzled for 11 markers in the fourth canto, including 9 straight points in that frame.

First Game
Island Manpower 75 – Norita 17, Bisana 16, Capalad 11, Standish 10, Lizama 10, Teregeyo 4.
Hoopaholics 65 – Fitial 19, Lauron 17, Diaz 10, Itibus 10, Sablan 6, Manibusan 4.
Scoring by quarters: 18-16, 45-30, 57-50, 75-65.

Second Game
JP World 99 – Pelisamen 38, J. Estolas 15, Paraiso 12, Peredo 8, Camacho 7, Manalo 5, Deocares 3, Sharry 2.
Toka 83 – Barcinas 15, Joyner 15, Basa 15, Lampkin 10, Lizama 8, Tudela 7, Caro 3.
Scoring by quarters: 17-25, 47-38, 67-52, 99-83.