The Luton Eagles opened the 35+ Division of the NEHBL Invitational Cup in commanding fashion on Friday night, leading from start to finish in a 73-46 win over Sigma in Stevenage.
Ten different Eagles scored and five reached at least seven points in a balanced performance. Sigma hung around through the opening minutes and won the middle of the second quarter, but a 20-0 Eagles run bridging the first and second periods decided the game early.
How It Happened
First quarter, Eagles 17-9. Ronald Divino scored the first basket of the game and Sigma answered through Kolja Nodora and Dar Orante to stay within two. Baskets from Pidong Cruz and a Mark Lirio three opened a 12-4 lead. Airvin Brusas scored five straight for Sigma to make it 12-9, but Mike Soliven and Cruz closed the quarter with the Eagles up eight.
Second quarter, Eagles 14-10. This is where the game turned. The Eagles scored the first 12 points of the period, Arbie Lucas, Divino, two baskets from Paul Arminal and a second Lirio three, to complete a 20-0 run spanning the two quarters and lead 29-9. Sigma finally broke the drought through Niel Fernandez, then a Jasper Jubilo three and three late points from playing coach Jerry Ocampo cut the half time deficit to 31-19.
Third quarter, Eagles 19-12. Sigma kept working. Carlo Nolasco scored six in the period and Garnel Galang hit a three to keep the margin at 11, 31-42, midway through the quarter. The Eagles answered with Divino at the line and inside, then three straight baskets from Cruz to end the period at 50-31.
Fourth quarter, Eagles 23-15. Sigma opened with three baskets to close within 13, but the Eagles' shooters finished the job. Soliven hit two threes in a 60 second span, Arminal and Rodolph Jison scored inside, and Christian Galang added six late points as the lead reached 27.
Leaders
Luton Eagles: Pidong Cruz 14 points (7 field goals), Ronald Divino 11, Paul Arminal 10, Mike Soliven 8 (2 threes), Christian Galang 7, Mark Lirio 6 (2 threes), Val Estrelles 6, Arbie Lucas 5. Ten Eagles scored.
Sigma: Kolja Nodora 6, Jasper Jubilo 6 (2 threes), Carlo Nolasco 6, Airvin Brusas 5, Niel Fernandez 5, playing coach Jerry Ocampo 5, Dar Orante 4.
Notes
- Lead changes: 0. The Eagles never trailed after Divino's opening basket. Biggest lead: 27.
- The Eagles won every quarter, 17-9, 14-10, 19-12 and 23-15.
- The 20-0 run from 9-9 in the first quarter to 29-9 in the second was the decisive stretch.
- Fouls: Sigma 8, Eagles 5. A clean game with only 13 fouls called.
Up Next
Sigma return on Friday 9 October at 7:30 PM against the Spartans. The Eagles face the Trojans on Friday 16 October at 8:45 PM. Full box score on the game stats page, standings on the results page.
