5th CESAFI partners' Cup Gaisano Capital logs second win

CEBU, Philippines - On the night when star center Junemar Fajardo suffered one of his worst showing in his career, the smallest player on the floor gamely rose to the occasion with 5-foot-6 shooting guard Gerald Ampoon rallying Gaisano Capital past Ave Maria Sanctuary Park, 72-68, in the 5th CESAFI Partners’ Cup last Tuesday at the Cebu Coliseum.

Games today

(Cebu Coliseum)

5:30 pm Winner Beef Loaf vs. Ave Maria

7 pm Lion Tiger vs. Prime Asia

Earlier, the San Marino Corned Tuna escaped with a 65-62 win in overtime against Rose Aquarius Merchandising.

With Fajardo handcuffed to a measly three points, Ave Maria took advantage of his ignorable presence and was poised to pull a major upset when they opened an 11-point lead, 44-33, with still 7:24 left in the third period.

   However, Ave Maria's control of the match was shortlived when Gaisano Capital, bannered by the UC Webmasters, ended the period with a 17-4 blitz to regain the upperhand, 50-48, on a triple by Archie Batua.

Still, Ave Maria was very much alive with just a two-point deficit, 54-56, on a basket by Abulaiz Suliman, but Gaisano Capital simply saved their best shots for last.And despite many others deserved to be called heroes, it was Ampoon who emerged as the brightest, scoring 12 points as Gaisano Capital took the temporary lead with a clean 2-0 slate.

 Quinton Brian Heruela, Robinson Mohammad and Edward Pao also made significant contributions in offense late in the final period.

Jason Nudalo nailed 16 markers for Ave Maria, which fell to 1-1.

The scores

First game

San Marino (65) - Pacquiao 15, Nalos 10, Padilla 7, Armecin 6, Goloran 5, Pineda 5, Guillena 4, Urot 4, Brigondo 4, Wagas 2, Pogoy 2, Dalondonan 1

Rose Aquarius (62) - J. Ferraren 11, Dajalos 11, Cabahug 8, Maraño 6, Sedurifa6, Avila 5, D. Ferraren 4, Misa 3, Sollano 2, Genobia 2, Corcilles 2, Meca 2

Second game

Gaisano Capital (72) - Ampoon 12, Heruela 9, Batua 9, Caytona 9, Mohammad 7, Pao 5, Pogoy 5, Magallanes 5, Aranas 4, Fajardo 3, Delos Santos 2, Labolabo 2

            Ave Maria (68) - Nudalo 16, Abing 8, Dela Rama 7, Sanchez 7, Olbedado 7, Capillar 5, Singco 4, Tabaloc 4, Palileo 4, Suliman 4, Lajato 2

Halftime: 33-35 (FREEMAN)