Manila Beast Outlasts Responders
Feb. 6, 2020
Manila, Philippines

The Manila Beast and the Responders were two teams raring to get back on their losses from their respective first assignments. The Manila Beast lost to the EM Arki Team while the Responders blew out from Dauntless. The game was another epic nail-biter, and at the end it was the Beasts that prevailed.74-73.

The Manila Beast started strong, converting on fast break with opprotunities and they found themselves up by eight, 21-13 afther the first period. John Madeja and Lucky Vicente combined for 12 points. In the second canto, the Responders charged back and had six players score and was able to come closer by the end of the half, 34-38.

In the third period, the game started to become close and both teams felt the rivalry and noth teams played to the best of their ability specially in defense as no team scored no more than 16 points.

The Responders were leading by four points at 2:49 mark of the 4th quarter when Lucky Vicente completed an and1 play, asplit at the charities at the Responders' end and a bucket by JL Empleo tied the count at 66 with 2:16 left in the game. Jun Mendoza regained the lead with his 2 points but JL Empleo returned the lead to Manila Beast with his trey conversion. Froilan Tuibeo converted two free throws and swang the lead back to Responders but Empleo was fouled at the parking at area and converted the three free throws to get the lead back at 2 points for the Manila Beast. Tuibeo failed to convert the two free throws and Empleo again saved the day with his two point conversion to give the Beasts a four point margin with 42.3 left on the game.

Dennis Quiñanola shot a follow up and allowed the Responders to get back and trailed by two points. Jun Mendoza was leading a fast break for the tie follwoing an Empleo miss but John Madeja stole the ball from him. Larosa split the charities, and Responders had one last chance to tie or win the game but not enough time was left to do so.

The Responders went down to its second straight loss while the Manila Beast improved to a 1-1 slate.

JL Empleo scored 16 of his 23 points including two three point shots that earned him the best player of the game citation.

The Scores

Manila Beast 75 - Empleo 24, Vicente 16, Madeja 13, Espinosa 8, Rieta 8, Larosa 5, Palma 1, Salvador 0.

Responders 73 - Mendoza 26, Quiñanola 22, Tuibeo 7, Geroda 5, Bustillo 5, Lenaresas 3, Macaraeg 3, Gonzalo 2.

Quarterscores: 21-13, 38-34, 52-50, 75-73.