THE Pecandela Law Firm-Primary Homes tripped Bhutakalz, 59-53, last Saturday for its second straight win to grab the lead in the quarterfinal round of the Top Four division of the 9th Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) basketball tournament at the Capitol Parish gym.
Pecandela led from start to finish and erected its biggest lead of 13 points, 43-30 at the end of the third quarter. Bhutakalz sizzled in the fourth period with a 23-16 run but came short of snatching the win.
Ivans Gamallo and Tommy Yu led Pecandela with 13 points apiece while Van Ligutan paced Bhutakalz with a game-high 24 markers.
In the other game of the same division, the Super Idols (1-1) bucked the absence of injured big man Erwin Heyrosa and beat erstwhile leader Pañeros, 55-50.
Fermin Pepito had 24 points for Super Idols while Ruel Juban paced Pañeros with 13 markers.
In the Bottom Four division, the Eagles shocked Los Demonyos, 70-64, for its 2nd win in as many games with Ian Santos and Jan Vallecer scoring 18 and 12 points, respectively. Art Flores paced Los Demonyos with 17 markers.
Earlier, the Dissenters won by default over Primos Rama.
BOX SCORES
PECANDELA (59)- I. Gamallo 13, Yu 13, Tenefrancia 12, Fr. Pepito 11, Capoy 6, Malazarte 2, Godornes 2.
BHUTAKALZ (53)- Ligutan 24, B. Velez 10, Verallo 7, Ang 5, Guieb 3, Hupp 2, Arnaiz 2.
2nd game
IDOLS (55)- F. Pepito 24, Quijano 10, Piquero 8, Macion 5, B. Pepito 3, Sumampong 3, Salubre 2.
PAÑEROS (50)- Juban 13, Mendoza 10, Retuya 8, Molde 6, Aliño 4, Balorio 3, Calipayan 3, Cabilte 2, Busi 1.
3rd game
EAGLES (70)- Santos 18, Vallecer 12, Velmonte 10, Lagahit 8, Hiyas 8, Canta 5, Miralles 5, Solis 2, Villegas 2.
DEMONYOS (64)- Flores 17, Riveral 13, Velez 12, Bauzon 9, Mañus 8, Ortiz 3, Del Prado 2. /Correspondent Dale Rosal