La Trinidad – The Kibungan-Tublay-Bokod connection nicknamed Apostles got going a three-win streak when they scattered the Brethren, 87-79; the La Trinidad Public Marketers squeaked past the Wesleyans, 96-95, and the Shepherds came back from a six point third quarter deficit to down Agi-Kabayan, 81-67, in Laity Cup action last July 2, 2015 at the San Jose gym here.
The Apostles, who were missing key big men, were buried in a hole early as Vonn Padilla scored nine and Clifton Agasen canned six to give Brathren a 12 point lead at the end of the first canto, 26-14. Eight points each by Prudencio Basquial, and Gusval Bolislis, who knocked in successive triples, held the forth and prevented Brethren from pulling away. They towed the Apostles back in the game, narrowing the deficit to eight, 48-40, at lemon time.
Then more life was injected to the Apostles with main man Jovencio Caleno appearing to start the third. Bolislis and Mark Del Rosario sank a triple each to ignite an uprising that eventually resulted in the Apostles taking over the lead, 55-54, at the 5:55 mark of the third. Two more back-to-back triples buried Bolislis and Del Rosario pushed the lead to five, 68-63, at the end of the third.
After the Brethren inched closer on two baskets of Justin Benter, Del Rosario and Caleno combined to score all the 19 Apostle points in the fourth to give the team a modest three-game winning streak and sole possession of second place. Caleno had 12 points while Del Rosario has seven including a triple.
The Public Marketers nearly blew a six-point, late four quarter lead but managed to hang-on and defeat the Wesleyans on a free throw by Brently Beswilen with no time on the clock.
Jolly Dawaton sank a triple and a long two to give the Marketers a 90-84 lead but six points by Brylle Bayas induce a 11-5 run to tie the game. Bayas’ last basket tied it with only 14 ticks left. The Marketers then brought up the ball to their front court and killed time before Beswilen fired a side jumper that was partially blocked but also hacked in the arm. He coolly sank the front end of his free throws to ice the game.
In the last game, Abel Accatan scored 12 points in the fourth quarter to lead a 31 point Shepherds fourth quarter while limiting Agi to just 10 enabling them to break a tight game wide open and cap the night. Accatan concluded his night with a game high 30 points to lead the Shepherds.
The scores:
Second game:
Apostles 87: Mark Del Rosario 24, Jovencio Caleno 16, Prudencio Basquial 15, Gusval Bolislis 14, Rholinson Paleng 8, Arnel Cobaldez 6, Hoven Bolislis 4, Haggard Pantaleon.
Brethren 79: Justin Benter 22, Vonn Padilla 17, Xander Batanes 13, Clifton Agasen 8, Ronan Milo 6, Jefferson Dennis 5, Homer Martinez 4, Mark Galian 4, Harvey Lee.
Quarterscores: 14-26, 40-48, 68-63, 87-79. 3 Pt shots made: G. Bolislis 4, Del Rosario 4, Padilla 1, Benter 1, Dennis 1.
Scores of the first and third game are unavailable as of press time.
