SVS Mart bag one out of three
SVS Mart won the first of
best-of-three semi-final games against Trukai Lions 68-63 in the
FILBA Western Union Challenge 2007 at Don Bosco Indoor Gym in Port
Moresby last Sunday.
FILBA semi-finals were held back for about four weeks to give way
to the National Elections counting but it did not affect the
momentum of SVS to grab the first game.
SVS guard and 2006 MVP Ryan Goce marked his return to the hard
court posting 19 points and three steals. SVS also got quality
minutes from Mikes Memafu who had produced 12 points, pulled own
five rebounds and blocked the shots of Trukaiís big men twice in
14 minutes of play time.
Trukai guard Jonel Flores fired the first salvo with a 3pt shot
and quickly followed by Wil Costigan lay up for a 5-0 run. SVS
countered with the same intensity from Mac Laurelís three-point
shot and fast break from Cris Arcangeles. The lead changed 4 times
in the first quarter that saw the score 20-19, Trukai ahead.
The seesawing battle lasted until the game was tied for the second
and last time 25-25, eight minutes in the second quarter. SVS
never looked back from there as Ryan Goce, Malcolm Johnston and
Mikes Memafu combined efforts produced 41-33 lead at the break.
In the third quarter, SVS Wally Parapa and Ryan Goce traded
baskets against Trukaiís Jonel Flores, Bao Waiko and Dennis Ouma.
A short jumper from Trukai guard Gerry Gica put them within
striking distance 50-53 but SVS centre Mikes Memafu attacked the
shaded lane for 3 consecutive field goals. Ryan Goce put the
finishing touches for a series of perimeter shots.
EMC Steelers on the other hand beat TNT Air Cargo 75-68.
Jumar Ortiz led the Steelers with 17 points followed by Lito
Bayaton 15, Roy Gime 11 and Rey Liwanag 10.
Apiah Muri top scored for TNT with 22 points and got support from
Joven Dampil 18 and Andrew Santos 16.
TNT Air Cargo controlled the board and out rebounded EMC Steelers
78-51 but shot a poor 31 of 93 on the floor compared to EMCís 28
of 66 and 5 of 18 in the three-point area.
Semi-Finals continue this weekend with SVS hoping to wrap it up
and have a crack at the title for the first time since joining the
league. EMC lost to EMJ during 2006 grand finals and hopes to
reach the FINALS again this season.
