LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – Gardenville used a 10-3 tear during the last two minutes of the second canto to pocket G6 bracket crown of the Sixth G-String Cup, 98-88, last February 26, 2017 at the La Trinidad Municipal Gymnasium, here.
(See G-String Cup 6 Final Standings and Awardees)
Gardenville got scattered contribution during the crucial run with Christian Sambot leading the pack with his four points that included a steal leading to an uncontested lay-up. Bracket MVP Jason Serrano and Harvin Dan Panganiban each added a basket while Tonton Mariano banked in two freebies.
This run managed Gardenville to broke away from a tight 20-19 first quarter score and pushed forward, 50-40, by the time the first half buzzer sounded. Gardenville got balanced contribution from the floor with Panganiban leading the charge with his eight points, Mariano with seven and Allan Jimeno with five during this stretch.
Gardenville then virtually matched Isaac point for point to secure the win.
(See more photos from the G-String Cup)
Gardenville rode the backs of Serrano and Geneses Vergara to start the game. Serrano poured nine while Vergara had five as the tandem scored 14 of the team’s 20 first quarter points.
Both still went toe-to-toe most of the second. Panganiban and Mariano scored six each while Isaac’s Kevin Ray Chan dropped seven to rung the score 40-37 before Gardenville ignited the run that proved to be the winning margin.
(Isaac grabs two G-String Crowns)
Balong Fajardo quickly lifted Isaac back in the game, 56-52, on a 12-6 run to start the third with seven points, including a triple.
Gardenville, however, had a ready answer. After cooling down in the second, Serrano came out smoking again in the third, knocking in three baskets, including two from downtown to reestablish the team’s safe lead, 71-54, time down to 2:19 in the third.
A triple each from Fajardo and Rommel Basali, Sr. towed Isaac back into the fray, 72-62 and prevented Isaac from totally losing the game at the end of the third.
Then the pesky Isaac made one more run in effort reverse the result and got within four points of the lead, 85-89, just a shade under two minutes left in the game under the strength of a 23-13 run. Basali scored three of his game-high five triples during the run.
That turned out to be the last gasped of Isaac as Serrano scattered three baskets, including a three point play off Basali with 45 seconds left, to seal the win for Gardenville.
See also other basketball stories:
Kapangan, Itogon rule Benguet Non-LGU Hoops Tourney
Puguis barely missed the broom in 1st LT Mayor’s Cup
Poblacion averts sweep in LT Mayor’s Cup
The scores:
Gardenville 96: Jason Serrano 28, Harvin Dan Panganiban 13, Christian Sambot 13, Tonton Mariano 11, Charlie Lubuat 8, Jonar Palaez 7, Geneses Vegara 7, Allan Jimeno 5, Jr. Sambot 2, Kenneth Antonio 2.
Isaac 88: Rommel Basali, Sr. 15, Balong Fajardo 13, Clifford Panayo 10, Bryan Flores 10, Kevin Ray Chan 9, Alcurt Fuchigami 8, Roland Nisperos 4, Isaac Basali 4, George Carino 2, Rani De Vera 2.
3 point shots made: Serrano 2, Palaez 1, Vergara 1, Jimeno 1, Basali 5, Fajardo 2, Panayo 2, Nisperos 1.
By: ARMANDO M. BOLISLIS