5th Avenue Telecom whacks USPF in M.Lhuillier U-21 hoop

CEBU - The 5th Avenue Telecoms let loose a powerful endgame punch to clobber the University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) Baby Panthers, 88-71, in the resumption of the 6th M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Under-21 Developmental Basketball League at the Consolacion Sports Complex.

The Telecoms of coach Marvin Felicis actually kicked off their offensive onslaught in the second canto where they shattered a 17-all standoff to storm the first half with a 39-30 advantage.

The Baby Panthers pulled within, 52-58, but the Telecoms staged a sizzling 30-19 rally in the windup to come up with a 17-point romp and stay unbeaten after two games in the two-month tilt organized by the M. Lhuillier Sports Development Foundation (MLSDF) through the efforts of its executive director and multi-titled coach Eddie B. Ybañez.

In the other game, Philweb overcame a spirited resistance by the University of the Visayas (UV)-Mandaue to eke out a hard-earned 73-70 victory.

Philweb enjoyed a big 40-29 lead at the bend, but UV-Mandaue, behind the efforts of Jeremy Espina, fought back with finesse to erase the deficit and even grab the upperhand, 69-68, with 1:28 left to play. Espina finished with a tournament-high 35 points.

In the ensuing sequence, Labata hit a crucial 3-pointer to put back Philweb in front, 71-69. UV-Mandaue threatened one more time, 70-71, but Te calmly sank a pair of free throws with 12 ticks left before the final buzzer to ice Philweb’s triumph.

UV-Mandaue had a chance to forge an overtime, but flubbed two attempts from beyond the arc as the gameclock expired. —EBV (THE FREEMAN)