Shakir Realty completed the opening day winners in the 2013 UFO-Budweiser Masters Division Basketball League after coasting past Pacific Islands Club, 56-42, last Sunday at the Gillette Multipurpose Gymnasium of the TSL Sports Complex.

Shakir Realty and PIC played in the last game of the opener and joined early winners Kanoa Resort (Open) and Degree/UPAA (Masters), which defeated the Hoopaholics, 71-70, and Armatech/MDX, 70-56, respectively.

With both teams playing their first game, Shakir Realty and PIC were sluggish in the opening 10 minutes of play before the former slowly got its form in the last three quarters en route to the 14-point win. Neither squad broke into twin digits in scoring in the first period, but Shakir Realty managed to take a 9-4 lead, as PIC was held to two field goals. Five points still separated PIC and Shakir Realty after the first half, as both teams tallied 15 points in the second frame. Carlos Ballesteros converted three triples in the second period to keep PIC afloat, while Shakir Realty matched its foe’s output with its balance scoring.

Shakir Realty had another 15-point production in the third to stretch its lead to double digits for the first time, 39-26. PIC faded away at the start of the second half with Ballesteros held scoreless in the third and the entire team drilled only two field goals and 7 points.

Shakir Realty went on to keep the comfortable lead in the fourth quarter and began celebrating its debut win midway in that final canto, as the benchwarmers came in to play.

Joselino Canoy top-scored for Shakir Realty with his 13 points, while Ernie Moises chipped in 10, and Mike Surima and Art Montes combined for 17 markers. Ballesteros and Tolentino paced PIC with 11 points apiece.

Shakir Realty 56 – Canoy 13, Moises 10, Surima 9, Montes 8, Bautista 3, Patawaran 3, Sevilla 2, Imbo 2, Paraiso 2, Guirey.

Pacific Islands Club 42 – Ballesteros 11, Tolentino 11, Baterina 10, K. Ricafort 4, Hernandez 2, J. Ricarfort 2, Reyes 2.

Scoring by quarters: 9-4, 24-19, 39-26, 56-42.