Lancers survive Warriors in OT

CEBU, Philippines – Flashy guard Harold Cincoflores hit a game-tying triple in the final 3.3 seconds of the regulation period and the Prime Asia/UV Lancers went on to defeat Aerosol/USC Warriors in overtime, 81-75, in last Sunday’s main game of the 3rd CESAFI Partners’ Cup at the Cebu Coliseum.

Games on Thursday

(Cebu Coliseum)

5 pm Virginia/CIT

vs. R. Lapid’s/DBTC

6:30 pm Enervon/UC

vs. Aerosol/USC

Earlier, the Hotel Fortuna/SWU Cobras repulsed a daring endgame rally by the Ave Maria Sanctuary Park/USJ-R Jaguars to escape with a 77-70 victory and stay unbeaten in five games, so far.

Cincoflores knocked in a crucial triple to lock the count at 72-all, thus, the overtime.

The Warriors could have actually won the game outright because they were staring at a three-point lead, 72-69, with just 18 seconds left to play. All they need was the insurance free throws of Giovanni Padillo, but the latter fumbled his twin gift shots with 16.9 ticks to go.

What was uncharacteristic was that Padillo earlier drilled a triple that gave the Warriors a seven-point cushion, 72-65, going into the final 1:26 mark of the game.

When the game mattered most for the Lancers, they responded with a 7-0 run including Cincoflores’ triple to change the complexion of the match in their favor. He led the Gregory Slaughter-less Lancers with 17 points, while Ritchum Dennison added markers as they improved their win-loss record to 3-2.

Edrian Lao, who engaged into a physical game with Paul Joven that resulted a slight commotion, scored 14 points identical with Bonifer Sendrijas.

As the Lancers took control in the extra five-minute period, the Warriors didn’t make any basket until a triple by Ryan Carlo Padayao, 75-78, with 28 seconds remaining.

Padayao, who sank six treys for the Warriors, paced all scorers with 20 points while Cantonao and Joven banged in 21 points combined.

Earlier, Jefferson Pria scored 14 for the Cobras, who perched atop the standings with a clean 5-0 slate. Anecito Lapiz, Jr. netted 13 points but to no avail as the Jaguars crashed to their fourth loss against a solitary win.

The scores

Hotel Fortuna/SWU (77) - Pria 13, Zanoria 12, Belande 11, Nuñez 10, Diango 6, Pacquiao 6, Litorja 5, Gianchan 5, Divinagracia 3, Gallarde 2, Armecin 2, Poligrates 2

Ave Maria/USJR (70) - Lapiz 13, Ponce 12, Malinao 11, Amores 8, Llera 8, Delifno 5, Abing 4, Duran 3, Alquizola 2, Pateño 2 Halftime: 41-24

Second game

Prime Asia/UV (81) - Cincoflores 17, Dennison 16, Lao 14, Sendrijas 14, Mercader 9, Olivares 8, Manigque 3, Benedicto 2

Aerosol/USC (75) - Padayao 20, Cantonao 11, Joven 10, Gallarde 9, Padillo 8, Cortes 8, Panerio 3, Blanes 2, Bautista 2, Codilla 2 Halftime: 41-39 -THE FREEMAN