Games Today
(Emilio Aguinaldo College gym)
12 noon — Taguig vs Cobra
2 p.m. — Ascof Lagundi vs MP Gensan
Taguig overpowered MP Pacman Gensan, 99-76, to clinch
the first finals berth in the fifth leg of the Tournament of the
Philippines (TOP) yesterday at the Emilio Aguinaldo College gym
in Manila.
Veteran Eric dela Cuesta and wily guard Lou Gatumbato
tallied 22 and 20 points as the Taguig ripped the game wide open
in the third quarter en route to its second straight win in the
event jointly organized by the Philippine Basketball League (PBL)
and Liga Pilipinas.
Dela Cuesta was almost unstoppable as he converted
9 of 13 tries from the field while Gatumbato dished out nine assists
aside from pulling down five rebounds.
In the second game, host Ascof Lagundi kept its finals bid alive
by downing Cobra Energy Drink, 92-88.
Former National University Bulldog Raymond Aguilar
paced the Cough Busters with 19 points and eight rebounds while
Bambam Gamalinda added 14 points and eight boards.
Ascof Lagundi and MP Gensan of Manny Pacquaio dispute
the second finals berth today. The Warriors also beat the slumping
Ironmen in the first day, 89-77.
"Hindi maganda nilaro namin nung first half kasi lumalamang
kami ng malaki tapos parang hinahayaan namin sila (Gensan) na humabol,
buti na lang naka-adjust kami sa second half," said Victoria.
Gatumbato spearhead a huge second half pull away
when he scored 12 points in the third quarter alone as Taguig turned
a slim 51-45 halftime lead into a commanding 77-60 lead entering
the final canto.
Backup point guard Nino Marquez added 14 points while
big man Harold Sta Cruz was the team's fourth double-digit scorer
with 11 points and five boards.
The Warriors, who slipped to an even 1-1 slate, need to beat Ascof
Lagundi to have a chance of advancing to the finals.