THE National Bureau of Investigation Region 10 (NBI-10) on Thursday night nailed its second-straight victory at the expense of the undermanned MJM, 81-71 in the ongoing Travelers Invitational Basketball League 2018 at the Gamma Farm gym here in brgy. Tablon.
Celer Estologa and Omboy Mila pulled a similar 14 points apiece, while Mario Bale and Gerry Tamayo added 13 markers each.
NBI-10 broke away from a tight first quarter after Mila propelled an 11-point stretch with three successive triples in the second quarter before slowing down by nine at the close of the half, 41-32.
The duo of Bale and Tamayo conspired to give NBI-10’s biggest lead at 21 (58-37) in the third quarter.
But, it was not yet over for MJM as it seriously threatened to send shivers down the NBI-10’s spine.
MJM’s explosive tandem of Jan Babiera and Gerard Duran led a comeback that cut NBI-10’s lead to nine, 75-66 with still 4:12 minutes remaining in the final fourth period.
Alas, the uprising was cut short as NBI-10 director Hans Barbaso hit back-to-back jumpers to seal the bureau’s second win the league.
In same manner, MJM also yielded to the Public Attorney’s Office (PAO), 75-78 with only six of them playing.
From hitting 45 in the opener, Babiera erupted for 35 points against PAO, though his effort all the same went for naught.
“We’re still hoping for complete attendance. Fatigue has always been the issue with our team,” said Judge Isagani Ravidas of MJM.
Aside from Babiera and Duran’s impressive showings, Ravidas acknowledged the needed support from teammates Gil Agpoa, Ian Borinaga and Cesar Sumapig.
MJM sorely missed the 3-point bombing of BB James Abucejo who’s now in the United States.
Meanwhile, the Ruffians rebounded from their 67-71 defeat at the hands of NBI-10 in last week’s opening matches via win by forfeiture over the 4ID Army.
How they scored:
NBI-10 81--Estologa 14, Mila 14, Bale 13, Tamayo 13, Barbaso 8, Oran 4, Faelden 4, Dela Pinia 4, Nercuit 4.
MJM 71--Babiera 35, Duran 18, Sumapig 12, Borinaga 4, Ravidas 3, Agpoa 2.
Games on Tuesday (July 10) at 4ID Gym:
6:30 pm -- PAO vs CVL Maguindanao
7:30 pm -- CVL/MAC/CAM/COS vs IBP