Mobil kept its reign in the Emon Lodge No. 179 Brotherhood Basketball League 2013/Docomo Pacific Cup after beating Mariana Resort, 94-85, in a winner-take-all final last Saturday night at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

Mobil withstood Mariana Resort’s repeated comeback bids to top all three editions of the Emon Lodge caging. Jun Estolas, Freddie Pelisamen, Marvin Rabauliman, and even Errol Peredo canned timely baskets to stop Mariana Resort’s momentum.

Mariana Resort made one final rally under the two-minute mark when it cut the lead that once stood at 17 to 4, 82-86, after Rolly Paraiso’s open shot under the basket off Jawn Joyney’s steal, 1:16 left on the clock. However, Estolas quickly brought the lead back to 6 with a floater against the outstretched arms of Paraiso and Marlon Sison.

Mariana Resort then kissed its championship’ bid goodbye after missing triples in its next two possessions, while Mobil sealed the three-peat with Pelisamen splitting his charities off a technical foul on Sison (too much complaining), Rabauliman going 2-for-2 after getting a hard foul from the latter, and Jorge De Guzman connecting on a triple from the corner.

Mobil and Mariana Resort arranged their title duel after beating Pacific Islands Club, 86-76, and AXE Proa, 71-70, respectively, last Thursday. 

After escaping past the pennant champion Proa, Mariana Resort seemed headed for another down-to-the-wire finish against Mobil, as the first quarter of the finals ended with the eventual champion ahead by only a hair, 16-15. Mobil was still control in the second half, but Mariana Resort remained close before the former broke away midway in the second canto as after Sison’s triple tied the game at 46-all, coach Marvin Deocares’ wards launched a 14-0 run. However, Mariana Resort came back with a 10-3 windup to slice the deficit to single digits, 56-63, with still one full quarter to go.

A 10-0 run in the first two minutes of the fourth canto gave Mobil its biggest lead, 73-56, but Joyner and company were not ready to throw in the towel yet and dropped a 14-1 bomb to move within four, 70-74, less than six minutes left in the game. However, Mobil countered with a 10-0 run to widen the gap anew. Estolas nailed an undergoal stab, Pelisamen had an and-1 play and a breakaway layup, while Peredo drilled a triple.

Down by double digits again, Mariana Resort made one final comeback bid, but Mobil showed poise in the end to defend its title.

Pelisamen top-scored for Mobil with his 24 points, while Rabauliman and De Guzman chipped in 21 and 17, respectively. The three top scorers for Mobil earned most of their points from the wings, as Mariana Resort’s defense failed to react quickly in those extra passes. On offense, Mariana Resort took too many shots from downtown and did not hit triples consistently. The eventual runner-up also missed the contribution of Leo Galarse, who was held to 7 points and two field goals, while Elgene Mangali also had a so-so performance in the finals, firing 9 markers. Paraiso had the best game for Mariana Resort, scoring 26 points, while Joyner also stepped up with his 21 markers.

Meanwhile, PIC won the battle for third place after outclassing AXE Proa in the first game, 85-77.

First Game

PIC 85 – Demapan 23, Barbo 19, Ne. Salem 13, Abuy 13, Babauta 10, Salem, Castro 2, Ni. Salem 2.

Axe Pro 77 – Aranda 18, Tudela 14, Chariton 12, Alegre 9, Barcinas 6, Libuw 6, Villacrusis 5.

Scoring by quarters: 18-23, 39-36, 64-66, 85-77.

Second Game

Mobil 94 – Pelisamen 24, Rabauliman 21, De Guzman 17, Estolas 9, Peredo 6, Gamboa 6.

Mariana Resort 85 – Paraiso 26, Joyner 21, Mangali 9, Moises 7, Galarse 7, Fitial 5.

Scoring by quarters: 16-15, 41-36, 63-56.