PARTNER'S CUP: Ave Maria tops Rose Aquarius

CEBU, Philippines - Ave Maria Sanctuary Park did not have a hard time finding its deadly form and closed its first round campaign in the 5th CESAFI Partner's Cup on a high note by scoring an 83-53 rout of the Rose Aquarius Merchandising in yesterday's game at the Cebu Coliseum.

Games today

(Cebu Coliseum)

5:30 pm Lion Tiger

vs. Winner

7 pm San Marino

vs. Prime Asia

As of press time last night, Prime Asia Pawnshop and Winner Beef Loaf were still playing with the former seeking another win in order to improve its record which currently stands at 2-3 while the latter has a 1-4 win-loss card.

Ave Maria, which finished the first round with a 3-3 win-loss card, was oozing with confidence as its players waxed hot in the third period with their impressive outside shooting capped by four straight triples to open up a 69-36 lead to end the period.

The biggest lead, however, was at 34 points, 74-40 midway through the final canto on a basket by Midget de la Rama.

Wilkins Sanchez had also his share of the limelight when he fired three straight triples in the second quarter where he made all his 11 points.

But it was Jason Nudalo, who paced Ave Maria with 13 markers.

The hot Ave Maria had several players contributing in the offense.

Rose Aquarius did not have that luxury with Lawrence Maraño topscoring for the losing cause with 12 points.

Fritz Dajalos, a usual point producer for the USPF-manned Rose Aquarius, was limited to just a paltry seven points and the team closed the first round with a 1-5 win-loss record.

They are now alone in the cellar hoping to have a companion should Winner Beef Loaf lose.

The scores:

Ave Maria (83) -- Nudalo 13, Sanchez 11, Abing 9, Palileo 9, Capillar

8, C. Parker 7, Olbedado 6, Senining 6, Tabaloc 6, De la Rama 4, Lajato 2, Suliman 2.

Rose Aquarius (53) -- Maraño 12, Dajalos 7, E. Ferraren 6, Cabahug 4,

Fuentes 4, Sedurifa 4, J. Ferraren 3, Linao 3, Misa 2, Corcilles 2, Avila 2, Genobia 2, Meca 2 Halftime: 38-24