Unlimited Routs Fatal Errors for 1st Win

Istorya pummels Metaphil for 2nd win in Christmas League

Unlimited surprised Fatal Errors with a stunning 1-2-2 defense after the half and used a 21-6 3rd quarter run to take control of the game. Team captain Thadz Engaling rattled off two straight triples to start the run and point guard DJ Edquid pestered the opposing guards as Fatal Errors struggled against the sudden change in defense. Mark Manubag pitched in 15 points to lead a balanced offensive attack that saw each player score at least 3 points. Roger topscored for Fatal Errors with 18 and Santamaria added 15. Unlimited had to lean on Mark Manubag in the first quarter to buck a slow start that saw the first quarter end at 11-all. Manubag scored 9 of his 15 in the first quarter. Unlimited's revamped second unit delivered a slim 3-point lead at the half, 27-24. The starting unit then regrouped to deliver the virtuoso 3rd quarter performance, 48-30. Unlimited then cruised to victory in the 4th, 68-50.

Later in the night, Istorya toyed with Metaphil in the first three quarters and built enough cushion to hold off a fierce Metaphil rally in the 4th. Istorya appeared to be on a way to a blowout with a 47-20 score line at the half and 63-37 at the end of three but Herbert Enclonar knocked down three triples to lead a 4th quarter rally that saw Metaphil outscore Istorya 31-17 in the 4th. Istorya built enough cushion to keep Metaphil at bay 81-66. Bojoe Ocana scored a tournament high 26 points  for Istorya and got much help from Stradnus Vale and John Rivera who pitched in 19 and 14 respectively. Herbert Enclonar topscored for Metaphil with 24.

The boxscores:

Game 1
Unlimied 68-Manubag 15, Rico 8, Romanillos 8, Belandres 8, Dy 7, Engaling 6, Edquid 6, Dedios 4, Dua 3, Embalzado 3

Fatal Errors 50-Roger 18, Santamaria 15, Remnick 4, Peter 4, Nixon 3, Rex 2, Carlo 2, John 2, Acie 0, Jerby 0

Game 2

Istorya 81-Ocana 26, Vale 19, Rivera 14, N. Fernandez 8, A. Fernandez 8, Atek, 7, Rama 3

Metaphil 66-Enclonar 24, Dator 16, Bumarlong 13, Pulvera 8, Arioja 5, Estella 0, Abendain 0

Tribu M Stuns Metaphil in Christmas League Opener

Istorya holds off Unlimited at the stretch

Chowking Mariano lived up to his star billing as he scored 21 points to lead Tribu M past a stunned Metaphil squad, 66-49. John Flanco topscored for Metaphil with 13 markers but had little help from his teammates. Veteran Herbert Enclonar struggled with 7 markers to show for Metaphil.

In the second game, Istorya leaned on their veteran experience to hold off an undermanned but stubborn Unlimited squad. Unlimited took the first quarter 15-12 and the half, 32-31. Istorya regrouped to take the 3rd canto, 49-45. Unlimited kept it close with timely hits from new big man recruit Edgar Dedios but couldn't sustain the run and eventually succumbed to the veteran smarts of Istorya, 66-57.