Pacific Islands Club is on a roll, following a 75-63 win against KFC/Taco Bell in the second game in the Emon Lodge No. 179 Brotherhood Basketball League 2013/Docomo Pacific Cup last Saturday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The victory was PIC’s third in a row, making it the second hottest squad in the league, behind unbeaten AXE Proa (6-0). The San Antonio-based team’s two straight victories were against Mobil, 109-83, and the Blazers, 71-63. PIC, which is in second place in the team standings with its 4-2 slate, split its first two assignments, bowing to AXE Proa in its debut, 56-70, before beating San Roque, 86-76.

Against KFC (3-3), PIC played steady in the fourth quarter and out-hustled its foe to extend its winning run. The fourth canto began with PIC on top by 8, 55-47, but a quick 4-0 run in less than 30 seconds of that period sliced the lead to four. Ham Hambros then connected on a putback off Darwin Barbo’s missed free throws, while James Abuy converted a triple to halt KFC’s short rally, 60-51.

Down, but definitely not out, KFC remained afloat in the ensuing plays until PIC broke its foe’s back, winning the series of battle for loose balls and offensive rebounds. At about the four-and half-minute mark of the fourth canto, PIC gained five straight possessions, as it chased the ball after several missed shots. KFC was simply a step or two in picking up the leather and after PIC got another loose ball, a frustrated Lerio Pagarao was called for a hacking foul on Ernest Duenas. Duenas split his charities, upping PIC’s lead to 6, 67-61. Duenas’ free throw sparked a short 6-0 PIC’ rally, and KFC never recovered, as it faced a 72-61 deficit, entering the final two minutes of the match.

KFC repeatedly mounted a comeback after PIC gained control of the match midway in the third canto, but the former could not find the perfect combination of players to complete the recovery. KFC has several known scorers on its roster with Ivan Devero, Angelo Fernando, Jaymark De Guzman, and Eugene Manglona joining Pagarao on the team. However, they could not get their acts together and some had to be recalled back to the bench just when they started to heat up to give their teammates playing time.

PIC had a better rotation with Abuy coming off the bench providing rally-stopping baskets, and Hambros sneaking in for a couple of undergoal stabs. Starters Darwin Barbo and Bart Demapan gave PIC strong presence in the paint, while young guns Nevin and Nicko Salem, and Ernest Duenas kept up with KFC players on fastbreak plays.

Mobil 90, San Roque 83

Joining PIC in second place in the team standings is Mobil, which pulled off a come-from-behind win versus San Roque (1-3).

Freddie Pelisamen recorded his second straight 30-plus point output, firing 38 markers against San Roque. Pelisamen, who had 37 markers in their 103-80 win over KFC, nailed 18 points in the fourth quarter and made Mobil’s last 7 markers to lift his team to the 7-point victory.

Mobil collected 31 points against the 18 of San Roque to wipe out the latter’s 65-59 lead at the end of the third quarter.

Marvin Rabauliman and Jun Estolas also helped out in the victory, adding 18 and 17 points, respectively. Rabauliman had 6 points in the fourth canto, while Estolas logged 13 markers in the first half to keep Mobil in the game.

First Game

Mobil 90 – Pelisamen 38, Rabauliman 18, Estolas 17, Ruluked 9, Peredo 4, Failauga 2.

San Roque 83 – De Leon Guerrero 20, Vertudez 16, Metran 16, Lerio 13, Aquino 10, Dela Cruz 6.

Scoring by quarters: 19-19, 35-44, 59-65, 90-83.

Second Game

Pacific Islands Club 75 – Demapan 24, Abuy 16, Barbo 13, Hambros 8, Duenas 7, Ne. Salem, Bartolo 2.

KFC/Taco Bell 64 – Pagarao 20, Devero 11, Francisco 6, Achas 6, Fernando 5, Manglona 4, De Guzman 4, Abuel 4, Camacho 4.

Scoring by quarters: 11-12, 31-30, 55-47, 75-64.