Eastside, R. Lapid’s and Goto Pilipinas ran away with double-digit victories in the Next5Hoops Metro Manila Central Leg – Intermediate Division last weekend at the Asia Pacific College Gym in Makati.
Even with just seven players in tow, Eastside still dominated 9GVISA.PH, 85-65.
Eastside was superior in nearly all statistical departments, allowing it to pull away for good in the second half and lead by as wide as 23.
Thanks to the leadership of Baltazar and Palomique, Eastside outrebounded 9GVISA.PH, 56-45, got 12 steals and registered six block shots that led to 18 fastbreak points.
Baltazar was a monster on both ends for Eastside, finishing with 21 points and 18 rebounds while Palomique likewise scored 21.
Abaldonado and Manalo were also efficient in cleaning the glass, pulling down 14 and 10 rebounds, respectively.
9GVISAPH tried to get something going at the start of the fourth but a 10-3 run was all it could muster, bringing down the lead to 13 with seven minutes to play.
In the other game, R. Lapid’s also broke the game wide open in the second half en route to a 98-84 pounding of a sloppy Red Cubs.
From a one-point lead at the half, R. Lapid’s effectively turned the match into a blow out and had a 16-point advantage entering the fourth period.
R. Lapid’s owned the game by forcing Red Cubs’ to commit a whopping 32 turnovers and then turned it into 37 points.
De Guzman paced R. Lapid’s with a game-high 28 points while Melocoton added 24 points including three of his side’s four triples and five steals in just 25 minutes of action.
Ventura also had a spectacular game off the bench with 18 points and five steals.
Meanwhile, Goto Pilipinas leaned on a spirited second half run to turn back So Kian, 83-72.
Goto Pilipinas zoomed away from So Kian on a 25-9 run from a deadlock at 50 late in the third for a 75-59 advantage with a little under seven minutes to play.
Deocampo and Gonzales were at the forefront of Goto Pilipinas’ attack as they finished 21 and 20 points, respectively, but Juanzon and Cruz also had significant contributions combining for 24 points.
So Kian had the momentum in the first half, even leading by 10 points in the second period, but just lost gas towards the end.
Acuna was on point for So Kian with 25 points built on 4-of-4 shooting from beyond the arc. Galimba chipped in 21 points in the defeat.
