Jay Vincent Gutierrez (#15) of Bureau of Fire Protection pulls a trigger on the free throw line while Rey Malaga Jr. (#29) of Senate Defenders tries to block the shot. (INOH FRANCIS MONTON / Photoville International)
BFP Firefighters stretched their winning streak to four, improved to five wins and a loss in the standings as they escaped past Senate Defenders, 74-72 at the start of UNTV Cup Season 4 2nd round eliminations at Ynares Sports Center.
UNTV Cup, the Public Service Channel’s basketball league where cash prizes are donated to charities is led by multi-awarded broadcaster and Mr. Public Service Daniel Razon.
With the win, the Firefighters now lead the team standings tied with previously unbeaten AFP Cavaliers, which lost to Malacañang in the other games.
Fire Volunteer Marlon Adolfo scored 34 points; nine out of 15 from the field; six out of eight from rainbow country; 10 out of 16 from the stripes and three rebounds; two steals and a block. He emerged as the best player in spite of fouling out with still two minutes and thirty seconds remaining in the game.
BFP started the game on fire, connecting four triples three of which came from Adolfo closing the first period, 22-17.
Adolfo and company continued their torrid outside shooting in the second period while Defenders went on disarray after playing coach, Kenneth Duremdes committed a disqualifying foul that got him ejected from the game before the first half ended.
Senate’s power forward Emmanuel Baltazar and Adolfo canceled each other’s production in the third period although Baltazar’s woeful five out of 18 free throws proved costly for the Defenders.
Fire officer Julius Edmon Jayona carried the fight for BFP in the final canto, amidst Senate’s comeback bid anchored on Marlon Legaspi and Reynaldo Malaga Jr.
Legaspi missed the bonus free throw and one play while Malaga grabbed the offensive rebound and was fouled. The consultant made a free throw, giving the Defenders a 2-point lead, 73-71 with 41.3 seconds remaining.
Legaspi had a chance to tie the game, but he only made one of his two charity shots as his team trailed by one point with 14.9 ticks left.
Senior Inspector Elberto Marqueses converted one of his two shots from the foul line as BFP increased its lead, 74-72 with 12.9 seconds left.
BFP coach Ramon Garcia designed a good defensive play as the Firefighters was able to intercept Malaga’s half court pass intended for the Senate’s play to either win or bring the game into overtime.
Although Duremdes played for less than half of the game, he still finished with 12 markers and eight boards.
Legaspi recorded 16 points, five out of thirteen from the free-throws, had 19 rebounds but six turnovers. Malaga registered 16 points, six out of 12 from the foul line, had six boards and three swipes but eight errors.
Baltazar contributed 19 markers and eight rebounds but was the major factor for Senate’s dismal 23 out of 53 output from the freethrow line.
The Kenneth Duremdes led team slid to 3-3 mark in the standings and will next face defending champion Judiciary on December 9.
Jayona chipped in 17 markers, six out of nine from the field, three out of four triples and had two steals for BFP which will next challenged powerhouse PNP on December 4.
Senate won the rebound battle, 50-15 but had more turnovers 26-12. The Firefighters’ nine out of 13 from the three points was too hot to handle with the Defenders converting only one out of eight.
The CUP scores
BFP 74- Adolfo 34, Jayona 17, Amores 5, Cartujano 5, Namia 4, Sibal 3, Centeno 2, Cabais 2, Marqueses 1, Egea 1
Senate 72- Baltazar 19, Legaspi 16, Malaga 16, Duremdes 12, Marata 5, Ong 2, Garcia 2
Quarter scores: 22-17, 41-31, 58-48, 74-72
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