DFFC edged SMPFC

DFFC came from behind to snatch the victory over the hardfighting SMPFC squad 58-56. It was another close finish for SMPFC but the breaks did not go their way. SMPFC's center Adrian "doc" Basoc fouled out with 3:50 to go in the fourth quarter. With less than a minute left, SMPFC was ahead by 4 points when Rogelio Papa managed to steal the ball from SMPFC's Julius Nulla and scored on a lay-up. SMPFC failed to make a basket in their possession. In the succeeding play, Allan Barbarona of DFFC drive strong towards the basket squeezing past a phalanx of defenders scoring a goal plus a foul from Joy Alcoberes. Barbarona scored on the bonus free throw to put DFFC ahead by 1 point, time down to 26 seconds. SMPFC immediately inbounded and made a long pass to Paolo Mesias who scored on a drive to the basket to put SMPFC back ahead by 1 point, with 18 seconds left. Then, Rogelio Papa scored another goal for DFFC with a foul from Julius Baring with 4 seconds remaining time. Papa made the free throw to give DFFC a 2-point lead. With no timeout left, SMPFC was forced to throw a desperation shot as time runs out.

DFFC's Allan Barbarona lead all scorers with 18 points. Rogelio Papa and Ismael Mohammad contributed 13 points a piece for DFFC. Joy Alcoberes topscored for SMPFC with 17 points. Julius Nulla added 11 points while Paolo Mesias chipped in 10 points.

It was another sorry loss for SMPFC who remained winless in the tournament in 3 tries. DFFC improved its win-loss record to 2-1.

Quarters: 15-18; 28-32; 35-33; 58-56

Boxscores:

DFFC 58 = Barbarona 18, Mohammad 13, Papa 13, Equibal 4, Maglanque 4, Amancio 2, Occena 2, Madela 1, Batcheril 1, Estorgio 0, Vistal 0, Selle 0, Fernandez 0

SMPFC 56 = Alcoberes 17, Nulla 11, Mesias 10, Basoc 6, Bagolor 5, Baring 4, Lara 3, Lor 0, Palomata 0, Demegillo 0, Masinading 0, Balucos 0, Iman 0, Loquellano 0, Cuevas 0.