Hot Pecandela sweeps elims matches in IBP basketball

The Pecandela Law Firm bucked the absence of skipper Mark Russ Gamallo and beat defending champion Los Demonyous, 58-57 to sweep its three second round matches in the Top Four division of the IBP 8th season basketball tournament.

Los Demonyous led by a single-digit in the first two periods but Pecandela responded with a, 14-11 rally in the third to tie the count at 38-all.

The game remained close in the fourth and was tied for the last time at 57-all on the short jumper of Los Demonyous’ Art Flores with seven seconds remaining. Then in the return play, Pecandela’s Tommy Yu sank one of his two free throws to peg the final count.

Sam Malazarte led Pecandela with 17 points while Ferdie Riveral and Art Flores paced Los Demonyous with 17 and 13 points, respectively.

In the Bottom Four division, Pañeros still earned the top spot despite being upset by the Eagles, 71-59 based on the quotient system.

Marvin Miralles and Ian Santos led the Eagles with 15 points apiece, while Ruel Juban and Barry Busi paced Pañeros with 18 and 17 markers, respectively.

In the non-bearing games, Super Idolz routed Bhutakalz, 78-59, with Benjo Macion and Reiner Apolinario scoring 22 and 17 points, respectively.

Earlier, Jodin routed Primos, 73-43.

BOX SCORES

JODIN (73)- Macabaya 13, Felicitas 12, Arrabis 11, Narido 10, Gidayawan 8, Andal 7, Reyes 5, Fornolles 4, Geotina 3.

PRIMOS (43)- Sususco 18, Velez 17, Badilles 6, Tabotabo 1, En. Rama.

2nd game

IDOLZ (78)- Macion 22, Apolinario 17, F. Pepito 15, Piquero 6, Sumampong 6, Santiago 4, B. Pepito 4, Salubre 2, Malig-on 2.

BHUTAKALZ (59)- Ligutan 24, B. Santiago 14, Guieb 10, Remedio 5, Sapayan 3, Hupp 2, Ang 1.

3rd game

PECANDELA (58)- Malazarte 17, Capoy 13, Yu 11, I. Gamallo 9, Fr. Pepito 8.

DEMONYOUS (57)- Riveral 17, Flores 13, Cadiogan 11, Del Prado 6, E. Bauzon 4, Pintor 4, Tambago 1.

4th game

EAGLES (71)- Miralles 15, Santos 15, Vallecer 14, Hiyas 13, Velmonte 8, Avila 3, Abcede 2, Godornes 1.

PAÑEROS (59)- Juban 18, Busi 17, Ordeniza 7, Dinopol 6, Cabilte 5, Balorio 4, Calipayan 2. /Correspondent Dale Rosal