Westco gets early lead in Pool B

Westco’s Kevin Rejano, left, takes off for a layup against CTSI/D&Q’s Ariel Jinang during the third quarter of their game in the JEM/Mobil caging last Thursday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Westco gained the early lead in Pool B of the 2017 JEM Company Ltd./Mobil Customer Appreciation Basketball League after beating the debuting CTSI/D&Q, 67-54, last Thursday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium.

Westco recorded its second victory in as many games after outgunning CTSI/D&Q in the final quarter. The final canto began with Westco clinging to a 48-46 lead, which went on to balloon to double digits as the division leader knocked in nine field goals and registered its second most points (19) in a quarter. CTSI/D&Q, on the other hand, ran out of ammunition after keeping pace with Westco in the first three cantos as the former was held to three baskets.

Danny Illahi and Raymond Tolentino had 18 points each to top-score for Westco, which won its debut against Konstrak Builders during the league’s opening last week. Tolentino and Illahi combined for 10 points in the pivotal fourth quarter. Kevin Rejano also finished in twin digits with 14, drilling 5 of them in the fourth frame.

Gerald Rivera led CTSI/D&Q with his 15 points, including two of the team’s only three field goals in their fourth-period meltdown. Joe Santos had the other basket for CTSI/D&Q and that was also his lone field goal in the entire match.

Meanwhile, in the first game, Mike Cabanas won his shootout against Top Development, Inc. to power Coca-Cola/Subway to a 74-71 win.

Cabanas sizzled for 32 points and knocked in Coca-Cola/Subway’s last two baskets that gave the team a close win—its first after losing its debut to Mariana Resort last week in another Pool B pairing.

Raymond Velasco had 30 markers on a losing effort for TDI, which played in first match this season.

Cabanas highlighted his 30-point plus output with his 13 straight points in the second quarter, which wrapped up with Coca-Cola/Subway on top by only 2, 35-33. Velasco had 13 markers in the first half to keep TDI afloat, while Cabanas finished the half with 18.

The lanky Coca-Cola/Subway forward then added 7 more in the third and drew help from Mark Ogasawara in the last two quarters to offset Velasco’s production and lift their team to its first win. Ogasawara tallied 11 points and all of them were made in the final frame, including 6 straight in the closing minutes of the fourth.

First Game
Coca-Cola/Subway 74— Cabanas 32, Ogasawara 11, Ilo 12, Francisco 10, Fejeran 2.
Top Development 71 — Velasco 30, J. Reyes 12, A. Reyes 14, Pollisco 4, Barros 4, Ibarra 3, Orencia 2.
Scoring by quarters: 17-16, 35-33, 56-58, 74-71.

Second Game
Westco 67 — Tolentino 18, Illahi 18, Rejano 14, Cortez 7, Ejercito 4, Gutierrez 4, Orbita 2.
CTSI/D&Q 54 — Rivera 18, Rabago 10, Raho 6, Benavente 4, Dela Torre 4, Jinang 3, Santos 3, Echavez 2, Raas 2.
Scoring by quarters: 12-13, 28-23, 48-46, 67-54.