CW Home Depot, Robins lead winners in LGR Hoops Season Four

POWERHOUSE team CW Home Depot demolished Teledirect Wolfpack, 66-42, to continue its winning ways in the LGR Hoops Season 4 Corporate Division held recently at the Titan Love Court in Fort Bonifacio.

Iman Balagtas proved to be unstoppable inside, finishing with 18 points, including a perfect eight-of-eight shooting from the foul line. He was backed up by Harold Lomtong, who had 13 points. CW Home Depot used a fiery run in the fourth period while holding its rival to only five points in coming away with the convincing triumph.

Robins edged Mackay Lions, 58-56, in their Novice Division match of this event sponsored by Rain or Shine, Titan, NBA Store, Gatorade, BTV, Golds Gym, Zark’s Burger, Bugsy’s, Kartilya, SYF and Ybalai.

More than 90 teams are competing in different divisions of the LGR Hoops, the fastest growing recreational league for people from all walks of life.

Eman Banzali and Jerald Salas combined for 38 points to lead Robins to victory. Robins trailed in the early goings, 49-34, at the half, but rallied in the second half.

The two teams engaged in a defensive battle in the next 24 minutes with both squads combining for only five points. In the fourth period, Robins continued to employ an airtight defense as it held Mackay Lions to only five points while unloading 21 at the other end.

In the end, Robins relied on Lean Acero, who scored on a transition basket with one tenths of a second left to lift Robins to a scary win.

Over at the Cloverleaf Gym, SYF edged Zark’s Burger, 76-74, in the Neophyte category match.

Four players led by Dondon Mendoza scored in double figures, Mr. Mendoza led the way with 22 points followed by Omie Forcuator with 16, Geon Acero with 12 and Gee Galang with 11.

Other teams which also stepped up include Chiba and Scoria Grill, which pulled off similar one- sided victories at the Gold’s Gym.

Chiba turned to ex- UST stalwart Derick Hubalde, who poured in 28 points, including five triples as he nearly single- handedly crippled the defense of High Hoops in the Novice Plus Division.

Mr. Hubalde’s scoring spree was nearly overshadowed by the high-scoring pair of Jun Panarez and James Candelaria, who combined for 44 points, nearly half of the points produced by Scoria Grill in their 87-74 beat down of Quicksilvers in the 38 and above division. —