BIR pips Bureau of Customs in Arena-7 cagefest

THE Bureau of Internal Revenue nipped powerhouse Bureau of Customs, 61-58, last Thursday for its sixth win in eight games (6-2), while the latter dropped to 6-3 in the ongoing Association of Regional Executives in National Agencies (ARENA) Regional 7 basketball tournament at the Capitol Parish gym.

The Revenuers had a slim lead in the first two periods including a 33-28 advantage at the half but Customs coach Gilbert Demape, an ex-PBA standout directed a strong defense in the 3rd period that hobbled BIR’s offense and gave the latter a, 46-44 lead going to the final quarter.

BIR finally snatched the lead in the fourth and survived Customs pointguard Boodee Monteño’s seven-point storm in the final 31 seconds to win by three.

Allen Sorela powered BIR with a game-high 16 points while Ronan Cañete paced Customs with 15 markers.

BOX SCORES

BIR (61)- Sorela 16, Meso 11, Galvez 10, Limbaroc 7, Diamos 5, Bonsucan 4, Dizon 3, California 3, Del Rosario 2.

CUSTOMS (58)- Cañete 15, Tan 11, Monteño 11, Capalan 8, Mabalo 7, Manahan 3, Velez 2, Laraga 1.  /Correspondent Dale Rosal