Hoopers lead Wednesday Club cagefest

TEAM Hoopers of Yoly Meso nipped IBP-A, 89-84, Wednesday night for its 4th win in five games (4-1) at the close of the elimination round of the Wednesday Club basketball tournament at the Capitol Parish gym.

Hoopers led 20-19 in the opening period before IBP-A retaliated with a 23-19 run in the second to grab a slim 41-39 advantage at the bend.

The 3rd quarter saw the Hoopers unloading a 24-13 bomb sparked by pointguard Andre Tocao, Benedict Bandala and Lito Ortiz to post the game’s biggest lead of nine points, 63-54 entering the final quarter.

IBP-A rallied in the fourth with a 30-26 run behind Benjo Macion, Van Ligutan and Bads Del Prado but fell short as time expired for their 4th loss against only two wins (2-4).

Andre Tocao and Benedict Bandala led the Hoopers with 19 and 15 points while three of their teammates added double figures by Lito Ortiz (13), Alvin Zabala (12) and Jacon Bonsucan (10).

Benjo Macion and Van Ligutan paced IBP-A with a game-high 22 and 19 points, respectively with Bads Del Prado and Frank Manching contributing 25 points combined.

BOX SCORES

HOOPERS (89)- Tocao 19, Bandala 15, Ortiz 13, Zabala 12, Flores 11, Bonsucan 10, Alejandre 4, Del Rosario 3, Gonzales 2.

IBP-A (84)- Macion 22, Ligutan 19, Del Prado 14, Manching 11, Sususco 10, Narido 8. /Correspondent Dale G. Rosal