Wushin Express extends streak to three

 Wushin Express secured back-to-back victories over the weekend in the 2011 DLX Basketball Invitational Friendship League to stretch its winning run to three.

Wushin first played against 8th Division last Friday night at the Gualo Rai Basketball Court and eked out a 94-87 victory. Then last Saturday, Wushin dominated Pacific Postal Plus, 83-71, to improve to a 4-1 record. Wushin’s two other wins came from its debut against FGC Builders on Nov. 25 and 86-74 triumph over Saipan Boys on Dec. 5 and the lone loss was at the hands of MDX on Nov. 30, 67-84.

Jun Tabora scored 20-plus point for Wushin in the two wins over the weekend, making 26 against 8th Division and 19 versus Pacific Postal. He and Junar Guiab made crucial baskets in the fourth quarter against 8th Division en route to the seven-point victory. Tabora tallies six in the fourth, while Guiab knocked in eight of his 16 in the final canto.

8th Division absorbed its fourth straight loss after winning its debut against FGC Builders. Leo Factor led 8th Division’s losing cause, firing 31 markers.

In the Wushin-Pacific Postal tussle, Tabora’s guns were blazing anew, as he drilled 10 of his team’s 18 markers in the opening period to take control of the game, 18-13.

Wushin never lost the lead from thereon, as Pacific Postal failed to contain Tabora and Pete Lizama and Edwin Santos also stepped in on offense for the winning team. Santos added 20 markers, while Lizama chipped in 18.

Pacific Postal had only six players at the start of the game, limiting its option on offense. One more player arrived in the second canto, but Pacific Postal failed to catch fire to remain winless in four games. Jessie Aque top-scored for Pacific Postal with 21, while Mico Usi contributed 20.

Blue Haus 84, Konstrak 81

The first game last Saturday had a down-to-the-wire finish with Blue Haus edging Konstrak Gualo Rai.

Edwin Camacho and Marlon Sison combined for eight of Blue Haus’ last eight points to lift their team to a 3-1 card. Jun Abedes scored the other two points. Konstrak has the same record after absorbing its first loss.

The first match was pretty even at the end of the opening canto, 19-all, before Blue Haus managed to get some distance in the second period, 45-38, behind the two triples and eight points of Sison.

In the second half, gunner Jun Estolas came to play for Konstrak, but did not produce enough baskets to shove his team in the lead, as Blue Haus retained the upper hand, 66-58. Sison added seven more points in the third frame, while Brandon Talania made six. Estolas scored four points in the third and still failed to find his rhythm in the payoff canto, leaving Elgene Mangali and Jawn Joyner the chore to lead Kontrak’s comeback bid. Mangali scored 11 in the fourth, while Joyner tallied eight, however their efforts were nullified by the timely baskets from Camacho, Abedes, and Sison.

FRIDAY

Wushin Express 94 – Lizama 29, Tabora 26, Guiab 16, Tibayan 13, Patawaran 2, De Jesus 2, Farinas 2.

8th Division 87 – Factor 31, Mateo 21, Detera 14, Jacob 6, Alejandro 6, Culala 2.

Scoring by quarters: 29-21, 50-50, 71-70, 94-87.

SATURDAY

Blue Haus 84 – E. Camacho 20, Talania 19, Sison 19, Abedes 16, Olivos 4, Cruz 2.

Konstrak Gualo Rai 81 – Mangali 30, Joyner 18, Mallari 16, Estolas 6, Reyes 6. Navarro 3.

Scoring by quarters: 19-19, 45-38, 66-58, 84-81.

Second Game

Wushin Express 83 – Tabora 29, Santos 20, Lizama 18, Tibayan 7, Villasan 4, Farinas 2.

Pacific Postal Plus 71 – Aque 21, M. Usi 20, Johnson 6, Agbanlog 6, Claveria 6, Anicete 5, Acosta 2.

Scoring by quarters: 18-13, 43-36, 61-56, 83-71.