Charlie pips Golf in Cekalco hoopfest

THE Richard Gubaton-led Team Charlie stunned favored Golf, 74-73, Saturday night for its 5th win in seven games to tie their victims with 5-2 win-loss records at the end of the first round of the Center Katipunan A. Lopez Christian Organization (CEKALCO)-2013, Second Season basketball tournament at the A. Lopez open court.

Charlie led, 24-19 in the opening quarter behind Coronel Baculi and Dodong Soco but Golf retaliated in the 2nd stanza with a blistering, 17-10 run and grabbed a, 36-34 advantage at the half.

Both protagonists engaged in an air-tight battle the rest of the way that resulted in several deadlocks and lead changes.

Charlie’s pointguard Richard Gubaton sizzled in the fourth period by scoring all of his 10 points while Bert Besties sank one of his freethrows in the dying seconds as Charlie soared to a, 74-70 lead.

In the return play, Golf’s Eduard Barellano nailed a booming triple with seven seconds remaining that pegged the final count.

Dodong Soco powered Charlie with 18 points with solid back-up from Richard Gubaton and Coronel Baculi with 16 points apiece.

Gino Almencion and Kit Arellano paced Golf with 22 and 19 points, respectively.

BOX SCORES

CHARLIE (74)- Soco 18, Gubaton 16, Baculi 16, Besties 9, Insong 6, Dolera 4, Bacho 2, Molejon 2, Panugaling 1.

GOLF (73)- Almencion 22, Arellano 19, Barellano 9, Mernado 9, Redera 4, Bentozal 4, Hortezano 4, Delos Reyes 2. /Correspondent Dale G. Rosal