CEBU, Philippines - Freddie Niñel scored 18 points and George Giducos sank 17 markers as the Amancia Brokers of team owner Filmore Amancia pulled off an 84-83 cliffhanger over the Mactan Hotmen during their nerve-wracking goodwill match the other night at the Don Vicente Sotto Memorial Gym in Brgy. Punta Princesa, this city.
In the opener, the Mario Suarez-led Team Pacman demolished the MJDL-Aduana Selection, 108-91.Billed as the “Clash of the Champions,” the event was organized by Team Pacman representative Jingjing Rama, who nailed all his nine from beyond the arc.
Niñel was awarded with a trophy and cash after being named MVP. He automatically made it to the Mythical Five alongside Biboy Potencioso and Marl Señeres of Amancia Brokers and Marvin Sillar and Ronnie Ruiz of Mactan.
Three other Amacina players finished in double figures. Potencioso had 15 points, Señeres chipped in 13 points, while Marvin Tundag donated 11 points for the 35-below champion of the recent 14th District Collector’s Cup.
Mactan Hotmen, the champion in the 35-above category via a record eight-game sweep, drew 27 points from Sillar and 22 from Ronnie Ruiz.
The Hotmen of coach Dacky Ugay and skipper Bingo Matugas could only tie the count for the last time at 55-all on a basket by Ronnie Clavano late in the third period.
Sillar missed a 3-pointer that could have given Mactan the lead for the first time. Later, Rashed Tacocong flubbed a potential game-winner for the Hotmen.
The Hotmen had another chance to snatch the win, but Ruiz misfired his three-point attempt with 3.3 seconds left in the gameclock.
The scores
First game
Team Pacman (108) - Suarez 33, Rama 22, Navarro 11, Talas 10, J. Rama 9, Pumareja 9, Baclay 6, Panerio 6, Dejos 4
MJDL Selection (91) - Herbito 26, Gasul 13, Daan 13, Medalle 11, Bacall 6, De Gracia 4, Jordan 4, Sepe 4, Davila 3
Second game
Amancia (84) - Niñel 18, G. Giducos 17, Potencioso 15, Señeres 13, Tundag 11, Manulat 5, Aliposa 4, J. Giducos 1
Mactan Hotmen (83) - Sillar 27, Ruiz 22, Amores 13, Mata 9, Tacocong 7, Ararao 4, Clavano 1 (GGM) (THE FREEMAN)