RMH, AMK, Ikea remain unbeaten in Laguna Lakers Basketball League

RMH-Physiotherapy, AMK Patriots and IKEA-DLBO dished out impressive performances to all stay undefeated at 2-0 in the team standings after the fourth week of actions in the 3rd Laguna Lakers Express Cargo (LLEC) Basketball Tournament at the Al Yamama Hotel court on Old Airport Road here.
Dbarkadz Palace of coach Nik Cetro suffered a second defeat by RMH-Physiotherapy of Ryleigh Ken Ramirez despite having ace cagers Bon Esguerra, Benjie Paras, Jef Enecio, Toto Cagayanan and Dave Guinto in the lineup.
RMH coach Ariel Dizon fielded his best five of Mitchell Lacap, Jerome Duterte, Lito Manalo, Jerwin Guinto and Jerry Rivera to post the victory their winning salvo.
After a close first half, RMH tightened its defense in the third quarter to end the period in front at 63-59 and never looked back.
Earlier, AMK Patriots of team captain Jill Jusay coached by Ver Santos Dela Cruz notched their second victory at the expense of Riyadh Red Wings 92-76.
Pariots banked on a tall and quick lineup of Ernesto Pelagio, Mervin Balansag, Arthur Herrera, Ador Aguinaldo and Aries Demanarig to dominate the first and third quarters at 17-14 and 66-57 while Red Wings took the second canto by a hairline margin 36-35.
Red Wings of Peejay Palmani tried to come back into the game in the last quarter but Patriots held tight to score the victory.
Ikea-DLBO of Dioso Omega prevailed over Davao Kalagan team of Esmael Amin 82-75. Coaches Mike Tengco and Leo Gonzales featured the trio of Obet Bulusan, Renz Tengco and Siegfred Estampa and along with Jomar Alemania and Ronnie Dorado closed the first two quarters at 20-19 and 37-37 all.
The third quarter ended tied at 58 and the match was touch and go until Tengco, Bulusan and Estampa during the crucial seconds of the ballgame led the Ikea assault to break their opponents’ defense that spelled the difference.
Laguna Lakers Express Cargo (LLEC) is the major sponsor of this tournament. Other sponsors include Kruathai-Bangkok Seafoods Restaurant (Arouba) of Mr. Prathin, Pinoy Supermarket through Ed Ng, Philippine Airlines (Al Tayyar Group) through Gener Esquejo, Kapamilya Supermarket through Albert Cunanan, Nadec through Mac Navoa, Mcdonald’s through Frankju Leang, Mobily through Rannie Basanta, Mr. & Mrs. Kok and Jerome Lago.

The scores:
RMH-Physiotherapy (88) M. Lacap 25, J. Duterte 21, L. Manalo 16, J. Guinto 9, J. Rivera 8, D. Paras 2, D. Mapa 2, R. Jimenez 2, D. Abacial 1, C. Ganancial 1, D. Saure 1
Dbarkadz Palace (78) B. Paras 16, J. Enecio 15, T. Cagayanan 12, B. Esguerra 8, A. Alvarado 8, D. Guinto 7, J. Dela Pena 7, N. Cetro 5.

AMK Patriots (92) E. Pelagio 28, M. Balansag 14, A. Herrera 12, J. Bumanlag 8, F. Aguinaldo 8, A. Demanarig 7, F. Pasig 4, V. Macaso 4, A. Palmero 4, V. Mejia 3
Riyadh Red Wings (76) S. Ariota 28, CJ Garcia 23, A. Zabala 7, N. Lauriaga 6, J. Dugan 6, C. Hall 4, M. Mayuga 2