Mobil moved up to solo second place in the team standings in the Emon Lodge No. 179 Brotherhood Basketball League 2013/Docomo Pacific Cup after thwarting the Ol’Aces, 90-80, last Tuesday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Mobil bounced back from a 21-point deficit in the first period and completed the come-from-behind victory with a strong finish to improve to a 5-2 record, just one win behind unbeaten and league-leading AXE Proa (6-0) and one game ahead of third placer Pacific Islands Club. The triumph was also Mobil’s third straight after a roller-coaster performance in its first four matches.

The Ol’Aces, who are on a four-game losing skid after winning their debut against the Blazers over a month ago, caught the defending champion flat-footed in the first period, leading at 25-4. Peter Camacho led the Ol’Aces’ strong start, scoring 7 points, while four of his teammates contributed at least two baskets apiece.

Mobil had only one field goal in the opening canto off Errol Peredo’s basket, while the two other points came from Freddie Pelisamen’s free throws. Down by a big margin at the onset of the match, Mobil was hard pressed to mount a comeback and responded to the challenge.

Pelisamen anchored the recovery right in the second quarter and drew enough help from Gyles Ruluked, Peredo, and Jun Estolas, as Mobil managed to move within 2, 64-66, by the end of the third period. The defending champion continued its uphill climb in the fourth, as Pelisamen and Ruluked combined for 16 points and put Mobil in the driver’s seat, 80-78, at the 2:33 mark of the payoff period.

Trevor Ogumoro tried to knot the count with his floater, but missed, and Mobil got the rebound and upped the lead to 4 entering the final two minutes of the match after Marvin Rabauliman connected on a fastbreak layup.

Another Ol’Aces muffed offensive set returned possession to Mobil, which stretched the lead to 6, as Pelisamen made a putback off his own miss. Fred Litulimar finally put the Ol’Aces in the board in the ensuing play, but his teammates failed to buckle down on defense, allowing Mobil to seal the win with three more easy shots.

Pelisamen top-scored for Mobil with his 32 points and it was the third straight time he nailed 30-plus markers for the defending champion. Ruluked, who missed Mobil’s first four games, chipped in 14, while Peredo added 12. Jesus Iguel led the Ol’Aces with his 24 point, but he was held to 2 points in the fourth period.

Mariana Resort 84, Blazers 71

In the first game, Mariana Resort ended a two-game slide after outclassing the Blazers.

While Mariana Resort is back on track and improved to a 4-3 record, the Blazers remained winless in six games.

Marlon Sison and Elgene Mangali teamed up for Marianas Resort, scoring 18 points apiece. Sison was on target from downtown, drilling five triples. Three other Mariana Resort players finished in twin digits with Ernie Moises contributing 12, and Rolly Paraiso and Jawn Joyner chipping in 11 and 10, respectively.

Mariana Resort outgunned the Blazers in the first three quarters to built a 61-45 advantage and victory remained elusive for the latter as it just traded baskets with the former in the fourth canto.

First Game

Mariana Resort 84 – Sison 18, Mangali 18, Moises 12, Paraiso 11, Joyner 10, Fitial 6, Montes 4, Dayrit 4.

Blazers 71 – L. Sablan 13, Taylor 11, Jung 9, Maratita 8, Brennan 7, S. Sablan 6, Quan 6, Younis 2, Mendiola 2.

Scoring by quarters: 18-12, 39-30, 61-45, 84-71.

Second Game

Mobil 90 – Pelisamen 32, Ruluked 15, Peredo 12, Estolas 9, Rabauliman 8, Camacho , Failauga 2.

Ol’Aces 80 – Iguel 24, Ogumoro 17, Mizer 13, Litulumar 10, Camacho 8, Renguul 4, Olaitiman 2.

Scoring by quarters: 4-25, 35-41, 66-64, 90-80