VISITING Basketball Unified Sports Group trailed most of the first half but scored two wins on Thursday against hosts Brads and Hastings Lions at San Carlos City park.
The Huskies 40-Up trimmed Scupa Brads, 90-82 in the first game and the 35-Up followed with a 90-85 triumph over the tough Lions who hit from the arc in the early going.
Rex Bayer bucked a pulled muscle; Joseph Arenas hit his free throws while Tanker Habaradas and Romelo Herrera surprised Brads with a crippling trap for an 11-0 windup in the last two minutes.
Brads led 25-22 in the first canto but Melvin Baclay, Edgar Basco and Rommel Hofilena combined to take a 48-44 halftime advantage. Rene Antones, Bernie Chan and Nene Lapore managed to protect a 68-67 lead at the end of the third.
BUSG 40-Uppers, managed by Bing Soyao and mentored by Henry Doble, switched from the 1-2-2 defense to full court press after trailing by 8 halfway in the last quarter. With Hofilena out on five fouls, Herrera provided the hustle to reverse the outcome.
Meanwhile, Jessimar Gabihan outran his 35-Up counterparts and hit on jumpers to lead the Huskies who trailed the first three quarters, 18-23, 41-43 and 62-65.
The former speedster from Domingo Lacson National High School and WNC Mustang hit back to back jumpshots from the perimeter to give the Melvin Baclay -mentored squad a 69-68 lead for the first time.
After exchanging leads, Berto Celis, Bayer and Arenas hit from the penalty line to seal Huskies second victory which earned them two trohies and cash prize o P4,500.
The visitors were treated to a sumptuous dinner by the City Government led by Mayor Gerardo Valmayor Jr., Vice mayor Edgardo Quisimbing and Sports Officer II Francisco Vendiola.
The invitational games were one of the highlights of San Carlos City's 50th charter anniversary celebration. (Henry G. Doble)