Young guns power Shirley’s past GPPC

Sean Rabasto, seen here going for a layup against an Armatech defender, scored 22 points in Shirley’s 82-69 win over GPPC in the Emon Lodge caging last Wednesday at the Civic Center Basketball Court. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)

Shirley’s Coffee Shop whipped GPPC, 82-69, during the curtain-raiser in the 2016 Emon Lodge No. 179 Brotherhood/IT&E Basketball League last Wednesday at the Civic Center Basketball Court.

Young guns Matt Duenas and Sean Rabasto towed Shirley’s to the twin-digit winning margin as they combined for more than half of the team’s total production. Duenas fired 23 points, while Rabasto added 22. Two other Shirley’s players finished in double figures with Perry Inos tallying 15 and Jaymark De Guzman contributing 14.

Duenas, Rabasto, Inos, and De Guzman teamed up for 23 points in the opening quarter to lift Shirley’s to 26-15 advantage. Shirley’s never relinquished the double-digit spread at the end of the three remaining periods as Duenas and Rabasto were still on target and Inos and De Guzman backed them up.

Rabasto started the second canto with a triple, while Duenas knocked in 6 of the team’s last 8 points in that frame for a 41-31 halftime lead. Then in the third quarter, it was Inos’ turn to work with Duenas, as they totaled for 12 points to stretch Shirley’s advantage to 14, 59-45.

Rabasto closed out for Shirley’s adding 8 more points, while John Jugos came off the bench and made all his 7 markers to secure the easy victory for their team.

Gary Norial paced GPPC’s losing cause with his 17 markers.

In the second game, Blue Haus outclassed JP World, 63-55.

Elmer Esdrelon led the victory, as he drilled 21 points. Junar Guiab and Angelo Fernando provided support to Esdrelon after logging 14 and 12 points, respectively. The three alternately hit baskets in the fourth quarter to prevent JP World from overhauling Blue Haus’ lead.

Lerio Pagarao had 21 points for JP World, which drew contributions from only five players and fell short in its comeback bid after behind held to 9 markers in the final canto.

First Game
Shirley’s 82—Duenas 23, Rabasto 22, Inos 15, De Guzman 14, Jugos 7, Dela Rosa 2, Pamintuan 2.

GPPC 69—Norial 17, Ocampo 14, Mungcal 13, Sampang 12, Advincula 4, Tagle 3, Corpuz 2.

Scoring by quarters: 26-15, 41-31, 59-45, 82-69.

Second Game
Blue Haus 63—Esdrelon 21, Guiab 14, Fernando 12, Talania 6, Barbo 6, Santos 2, Manalo 2.

JP World 55—Pagarao 21, Barrios 15, Villacrusis 9, Borja 6, Mangali 4.

Scoring by quarters: 15-16, 24-28, 48-46, 63-55.