Isaac escapes Cura-cee rally in city cup

ISAAC-MGD bucked a fighting Cura-cee to post its second victory in the ongoing Baguio Day Cup basketball invitational tournament at the Easter College gym.

Despite a late rally in the third period by Cura-cee, which cut a 20 point deficit to three points, Isaac-MGD leaned on Shane Balnges’ 37 points for a 103-96 victory Tuesday evening.

Balnges was the catalyst in Isaac’s victory the other night as he opened the scoring binge for the unbeaten squad in bracket A of the tournament backed by a telecom giant by posting a 34-25 advantage at the end of the opening canto.

This lead was even padded in the 8:35 mark of the second period, 40-29, but the lead was erased to a single digit advantage after Cura-cee took 11-6 run in the next five minutes of play for a 46-40 Isaac lead with 3:22 remaining.

But Isaac played steadily in the last three minutes of the first half for a 59-46 lead right at the turn.

Isaac’s highest lead was at the five minute mark of the third period, 72-52, but this lead was slowly whittled by Cura-cee, which saw them behind by six at the end of the third period, 77-71 with Derwin Estrada of Cura-cee scoring the buzzer beating triple.

Both squads failed to convert each possessions in the opening minutes of the final canto as Cura-cee made one final push in their offensive thrust as Estrada converted a triple which saw them pull within three, 79-76 with 7:42 remaining.

But it proved to be the last stand for Cura-cee as Isaac outscored the pharmaceutical firm on a 13-8 run for a 92-88 lead with 3:45 remaining.

Four others scored in double digit for Isaac with Raymund tufay adding 23 points and nine rebounds while Peter Junio had a double-double performance with 20 points and 12 rebounds and Alfredo Cadiz chipping in 11 points.

Cura-cee, meanwhile, was led by Estarda’s 22 points and five rebounds while Gerald Retiros had 17 points including 12 rebounds with Abdullah Masturah adding 12 points and nine rebounds.

Published in the Sun.Star Baguio newspaper on August 18, 2011.