CEBU, Philippines - Alex Mercado and Wilbor Cabrera combined for 35 points to power UTASSCO Utility to an 86-83 victory over Park ‘N Go Bakeshop in Game 1 of their best-of-three finals in the Power Forty Christmas League basketball tournament at the Inayawan Sports Complex.
The game went close the rest of the way with neither team leading by more than 10 points.
Jun Nacional and Dennis Batac netted 14 and 10 points, respectively, for UTASSCO while team owner Atty. Flor Yosores chipped in eight points.
Park ‘N Go was led by ace pointguard Michael Arias with 23 points even as four other teammates scored in double figures including team owner Romy Rama and his nephew Raul Rama with 10 markers apiece.
In the battle for third, the Water Market of Vez Eleguin smothered the www.fedguns.ph, 109-98.
Eleguin topscored with 29 points, while Gideon Bughao and Simoy Yosores each scored 20 for Water Market. Edwin Dejacto donated 15 points.
The scores
First game
Water Market (109) - Eleguin 29, Bughao 20, Yosores 20, Dejacto 15, Dela Rama 12, Abellana 9, Cayacap 4
Fedguns (98) - Javierto 20, Mabalcon 20, Abadejos 12, Nacario 12, Cabanero 10, Ibones 9, Ramil 9, Abarquez 6
Second game
UTASSCO (86) - Mercado 19, Cabrera 16, Nacional 14, Batac 10, Yosores 8, Pestano 7, Escalon 6, Abasolo 4, Yu 2
Park ‘N Go (83) - Arias 23, Echavez 16, Layon 11, R. Rama 10, Rama 10, Atillo 5, Ozon 4, Lalican 2, Dejarme 2 (GGM) (FREEMAN NEWS)