Pinoy Resources end KTC's win streak

PINOY RESOURCES punished KTC for their careless turnovers yesterday, handing them their first defeat of the StreetballBrunei 2010.

Trailing 69-63, KTC turned the ball over at least five times in the final five minutes and lost the match 88-77.

Remaining unbeaten, it was Pinoy Resources' third win in as many matches, and even a loss against Hua Ho tomorrow won't dent their chances of qualifying from Group C.

"I just wanted the players to enjoy themselves. That was the most important thing today (Sunday)," said Pinoy Resources coach Gerald Gravador after the match at the Brunei Basketball Association court in Batu Bersurat.

"I am happy with the win since it was a very important game for us. Even if we lose Tuesday's game, we are a shoe-in for the semi-final (next round)," he added.

With small forward Johann Toledo and forward/centre Jess de Jesus out of action, Gravador admitted that he had his doubts about the match.

Despite leading by as much as 20 points in the third quarter, Pinoy Resources were never really in the clear.

The game's top scorer with 26 points, KTC's centre Armando Estuesta led an early fourth quarter comeback, with his size providing an option on the boards and scoring the basket that made it 69-63 in the last five minutes.

But Pinoy Resources' full-court-press worked its magic, and careless KTC turnovers saw their opponents embark on a 15-4 run to retake a comfortable advantage.

Leading for most of the game, Pinoy Resources took a slim 19-17 advantage heading into the second quarter.

It was shoulder to shoulder until mid-way through the second quarter, but that all changed when Pinoy Resources' power forward Josend Mangroban took it upon himself to lead the team in attack.

Combining with Danny Falicilda, who was Pinoy Resources' top scorer with 19 points, the duo opened up a 10-point lead (33-22) with four minutes left in the half.

Though they were able to maintain and build on their lead, a buzzer beater from downtown by KTC's Marlon Cruz cut the deficit to 44-33 heading into the third period.

Pinoy Resources' intensity under the boards helped them win the rebound battle, scoring the first six points of the second half en route to a 13-4 run which widened the gap to 20 points (57-37).

KTC called a time-out, went on a 7-0 surge, and managed to cut the deficit to seven points heading into the last couple of minutes (61-54) after some slack defending from Pinoy Resources.

An uncontested lay-up from Pinoy Resources' centre Mark del Mundo during a fast-break in the last 30 seconds restored their 10-point cushion (65-55), and that was how it would stand heading into the final stanza.

"We were just pacing ourselves, I wasn't really scared we would lose," said Gravador of KTC's attempted comeback.

MK Kids and guest Team Committee Streetball Brunei also won their respective games.

MK Kids beat Ilocandia 86-80 to post their first win after losing their opening game to Sold 86-67 on March 14.

Geve Leones top-scored for MK Kids with 39 points, while JR Puno contributed 18 points to a losing cause.

Team Committee Streetball Brunei, on the other hand, soar past Al-Sarrah Eagles 106-83 for their second win in three outings.

Team Committee's Chris Paul and Lipitin each scored 21 points while Al-Sarrah's Myke Agripa Fuertes had a game-high 29 points.

The Brunei Times