SMFI Poultry squeaked past SMPFC

SMFI Poultry squeaked a hard earned victory over SMPFC 56-54. Ericson "the elephant eagle" Irlandez was fouled underneath the basket and made two free throws with 2 seconds left in the game clock to sealed the victory for SMFI Poultry. Earlier, Irlandez also converted two free throws to keep SMFI afloat with a precarious 2-point lead, 54-52. But, Adrian "Doc Eso" Basoc scored on the jumper at the keyhole to tie the score with time down to 26 seconds. SMFI Poultry wisely consumed the time and prepare for the last basket. With time down to about 5 seconds James Gutierrez shoot a three pointer which is off-the-mark but Ericson Irlandez pulled down the rebound and was fouled. Irlandez converted both bonus throw. SMPFC sued for time and inbounded at mid-court. However, SMPFC was not able to throw a decent shot at the buzzer. SMFI was able to limit SMPFC's scoring leader Adrian Basoc to his lowest output in the tournament of 5 points.

Irlandez scored a game high 17 points with Jimmy Dacalano contributing 13 points for SMFI. Ronald Lara topscored for the losing squad with 14 points coming from 4 - 3 point shot. Joy Alcoberes added 10 points for SMPFC.

SMFI started hot, racing to a 15-7 lead at the end of the first quarter. With the first stringers of SMFI resting in the entire second quarter, SMPFC slowly started to claw back to end the second quarter at 20-17 with SMFI still leading by 3 points. SMPFC take the lead at the end of third quarter 37-33. At the start of the fourth quarter, SMFI relied heavily on their trusted 5 - James Gutierrez, Dandan Morandante, Jimmy Dacalano, Rommel Virtucio and Ericson Irlandez with sixth man Jim Paul Ocena providing relief to Rommel Virtucio. SMFI played catch-up in the fourth quarter and tasted back the lead 49-47 with three minutes remaining in the game. Then, the heroics of the elephant eagle came into play.

Quarters: 15-7, 20-17, 33-37, 56-54

Boxscores:

SMFI Poultry 56 = Irlandez 17, Dacalano 13, Morandante 8, Gutierrez 6, Ocena 6, Virtucio 3, Baluran 2, Lebante 1, Barias 0, Virtudazo 0, Molina 0, Doronio 0, Gornez 0.

SMPFC 54 = Lara 14, Alcoberes 10, Mesias 9, Balucos 6, Basoc 5, Bagolor 4, Nulla 3, Palomata 2, Cuevas 1, Demegillo 0, Masinading 0.