In the Intermediate Division games of the Next5Hoops Metro Manila (Central Leg) 2nd Leg Qualifier last Sunday, October 2, it was the Priminent Builders, Berliner Grill, and Gulp Sharks who were all victorious
Played in Asia Pacific College in Makati, two games featured blowouts while the game between Berliner and Manila Amigos was a nail biter.
The Priminent Builders won decisively against the Acuatico Beach Resort, 87-70 in the day’s first game.
Pipoy Hempisao poured in the most points for his team with 22 and was followed by Marwin Montejo who had 17. Josiah Fordan also contributed with a near triple double of 14 points, six rebounds, and seven assists.
It was during the third period when the Priminent Builders pulled away. They unleashed 31 points while also limiting Acuatico to just 15. It didn’t help also that Acuatico turned the ball over 26 times which gave their opponent 24 points off of those miscuees. Francis Tioseco tallied 24 points and 13 rebounds in the losing effort.
Berliner Grill also came away with a win last Sunday in a close encounter with the Manila Amigos. Berliner was able to come out on top with a three point win, 90-87. Franz Delgado lit up the scoreboard with 38 points (15-of-25 FG), five three-pointers, four rebounds, and four assists.
The fourth quarter showed a good back and forth action between the two teams. Jeric Cruz of the Amigos cut Berliner’s lead to two points, 84-82, in the final minute of the game, but JC
Abarrientos fired back and knocked down his shot as well. But Cruz wasn’t done. He scored again the following possession to keep his team within striking distance.
After both squads made the game into a free throw contest, it was James Bermejo who delivered the finishing touches. He hit two clutch free throws which sealed the victory for his team.
Gulp Sharks rounded up the day’s action with a 92-48 destruction of the EC Gasifiers. From start to finish, the Sharks went hunting. They simply overwhelmed their opponent right from the opening tip.
Five players scored in double figures for the Gulp Sharks led by 14 points each from Paolo Avecilla and Raven Pitogo. The Sharks only converted on one made three-pointer but it didn’t matter. They shot 44 percent from the field and outworked the EC Gasifiers on the boards (68-43 advantage).
