Taguig clinches final berth in TOP

CEBU, Philippines - Taguig overpowered MP Pacman Gensan, 99-76, to clinch the first finals berth in the fifth leg of the Tournament of the Philippines (TOP) yesterday at the Emilio Aguinaldo College gym in Manila.

Veteran Eric dela Cuesta and wily guard Lou Gatumbato tallied 22 and 20 points as the Taguig ripped the game wide open in the third quarter en route to its second straight win in the event jointly organized by the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) and Liga Pilipinas.         

De la Cuesta was almost unstoppable as he converted 9 of 13 tries from the field while Gatumbato dished out nine assists aside from pulling down five rebounds.

In the second game, host Ascof Lagundi kept its finals bid alive by downing Cobra Energy Drink, 92-88.

Former National University Bulldog Raymond Aguilar paced the Cough Busters with 19 points and eight rebounds while Bambam Gamalinda added 14 points and eight boards.

Ascof Lagundi and MP Gensan of Manny Pacquaio dispute the second finals berth today. The Warriors also beat the slumping Ironmen in the first day, 89-77.

“Hindi maganda nilaro namin nung first half kasi lumalamang kami ng malaki tapos parang hinahayaan namin sila (Gensan) na humabol, buti na lang naka-adjust kami sa second half,” said Victoria.

Gatumbato spearhead a huge second half pull away when he scored 12 points in the third quarter alone as Taguig turned a slim 51-45 halftime lead into a commanding 77-60 lead entering the final canto.

Backup point guard Nino Marquez added 14 points while big man Harold Sta Cruz was the team’s fourth double-digit scorer with 11 points and five boards.

The Warriors, who slipped to an even 1-1 slate, need to beat Ascof Lagundi to have a chance of advancing to the finals.

The scores

First Game

Taguig (99) - dela Cuesta 22, Gatumbato 20, Marquez 14, Sta Cruz 11, Guiyab 8, Vizcarra 8, Gerald 5, de Castro 4, Tajonera 3, Cacha 2, Fernandez 2

MP GENSAN 76 - Raymundo 11, Medalla 11, Parreno 8, Sagad 8, Gonzaga 7, Daja 7, Yambao 5, Callo 5, Farochilen 4, Nicdao 4, Pacquiao B. 4, Coronado 2, Locsin 0.

Quarterscores: 27-18; 51-45; 77-60; 99-76

Second game

ASCOF LAGUNDI 92 - Aguilar 19, Gamalinda 14, Co 13, Asoro 12, Canlas 9, Uyloan 8, Labagala 6, Anthony 5, Mangahas 3, Lanete 3

COBRA 88 - Llagas 29, Espiritu 16, Barua 14, Acuna 10, Nabong 10, Bagatsing 3, Afable 2, Canizares 2, Lingganay 2

Quartersc ores: 23-20; 48-42; 71-59; 92-88 (FREEMAN NEWS)