CEBU - Team RemEMBER exploded with a 12-0 run in the final three minutes of the contest to blow off 5th Avenue Telecom, 93-78, at the close of the elimination round of the 6th M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Under-21 Developmental Basketball League at the Consolacion Sports Complex.
With a 5-1 win-loss record, the RemEMBER mainstays advanced to the quarterfinals as the top seed in Bracket B.
It was a see-saw battle most of the way, but the so-called ‘homecourt advantage’ spelled big difference for Team RemEMBER. Inspired by the presence of team manager and Consolacion Vice Mayor Ember V. Alinsug, the host squad dropped a crippling 12-0 bomb to turn the once close battle into a virtual rout.
In the other game, the Salazar Colleges of Science and Institute of Technology (SCSIT) Baby Skyblazers annihilated the Athletes for Christ through Excellent Service (ACES), 94-59.
SCSIT finished the classification round with a 5-1 slate in a tie with the MLSDF selection, but the latter gained top seeding in Bracket A by virtue of winner-over-the-other ruling.
The Baby Skyblazers kept the ACES at bay since opening the game with a 24-12 bang. They padded their lead to 26 points at halftime, 51-25, and eventually transformed it into a 35-point massacre.
The cash prizes and part of the proceeds of the three-month tilt organized by MLSDF executive director Eddie B. Ybañez will be donated to charitable institutions of the winners’ choice.
The scores
First game
SCSIT (94) — Rabaya 18, Amarado 14, Aleguiojo 10, Tampus 10, Arribal 10, Llamedo 9,
Paquibot 8, Bigno 6, Balaba 4, Salazar 3, Maurillo 2
ACES (59) — Amigabla 14, Milloren 11, Cañada 8, Ang 8, Pasumala 8, Pinzon 7, Guzon 3
Quarterscores:24-12, 51-25, 63-39, 94-59
Second game
RemEMBER ( 93) — Dahil 26, Medida 23, Pilapil 9, Ermac 9, Sanchez 8, Tibon 7, Lavares 3, Rojas 3, Bio 3, Villamor2
5th Avenue Telecom (78) — Alon 16, Marques 15, Solis 12, Quilab 11, Guardiario 10, Mangin 5, Mananquil 5, Ababa 3, Cañete 1 Quarterscores: 25-19, 43-40, 63-60, 93-78. — EBV (THE FREEMAN)