CEBU, Philippines - The Mactan Hotmen of team manager Bingo Matugas dropped a devastating 26-7 bomb in the third period and then averted a near endgame collapse to walk away with an 81-71 victory over the Totong Villanueva-reinforced Cebu Customs United Personeros Association (CCUPA) in the Bureau of Customs 1st Port of Cebu Sportsfest at the Benedicto College gym in Mandaue City.
It was a timely birthday gift for Matugas as the Hotmen moved one step closer from completing a four-game elimination round sweep.
The Hotmen trailed by six points at halftime, 36-42, but waxed hot in the third quarter to wrest the driver's seat, 52-49, for good.
Jessie Bugtai paced the Hotmen with 15 points followed by Ronnie Ruiz with 15 markers.
Villanueva topscored for the CCUPA with a game-high 26 points, while Manny Bugtai tossed in 16 in a losing cause.
The scores
Mactan Hotmen (81) - Bugtai 16, Ruiz 15, Mata 10, Ramos 9, Clapano 9, Ararao 7, Maningo 6, Yu 3, Sillar 2
CCUPA (71) - Villanueva 26, Bugtai 16, Estrada 7, Garcia 5, Batoon 4, Garcia 4, Castillo 3, Casul 2. - GGM (THE FREEMAN)