Garfield edges I-Cooler in clash of unbeaten squads

Garfield Five cruised to its third straight win after edging I-Cooler Marketing, 76-74, in a showdown of undefeated teams last Friday night in the elimination round of the 2006-Cebu Athletics Basketball Association (CABA) First Conference Basketball League at the San Nicolas Sports Complex.

Garfield dominated over I-Cooler in the first two periods and even erected a huge lead in the opening period, 26 -13, with an early assault sparked by the high-leaping Danny Estrera, who unloaded 12 of his 24 points.

He went on to explode in the second quarter as they protected their double-digit advantage, 42-32, at halftime.

The game became intense in the second half as I-Cooler squad caught fire with Gory Sanchez providing the leadership as he teamed-up with the troika of Jun Villar, Jebrel Calma and Lito Dice to erase the deficit and tie the score at 56-all at the end of the third quarter.

The see-saw battle went down in the final canto with five deadlocks, but Junnie Cambonga grabbed the momentum for Garfield upon nailing a crucial undergoal shot for the last deadlock at 74-all with 19 ticks of the regulation.

I-Cooler got a costly turnover with an interception by former commercial stand-out, Reggie Licanda for a heroic fast driving lay-up in the dying seconds that sealed the cardiac finish, 76-74.

Danny Estrera spearheaded Garfield with 24 points, which also drew support from Reggie Licanda and Edzel Zapanta with double figures each.

In the other game of the double header, LDC Warriors (2-2) routed FERI McMill, 82-68. Oliver Navarro scored 18 points to power up the Warriors, which also drew 14 markers apiece from Jun Pahamutang and Mark Villacorta.

Dennis Santillan and Erik Viajedor scored 20 and 17, respectively, to lead FERI McMill (1-2), while Noel Celestial added 15 points, but for a losing cause. - Marigold Libumfacil, Correspondent