San Marino turns back Ave Maria

CEBU, Philippines - Dreaded streak-shooter Eleazar Armecin knocked in a booming triple underneath the final two-minute zone of the contest to rally San Marino Corned Tuna to a 59-54 conquest of Ave Maria Sanctuary Park in the 5th CESAFI Partners' Cup last Tuesday night at the Cebu Coliseum.

Games today (Cebu Coliseum)

5:30 pm Prime Asia vs. Ave Maria

7 pm Lion Tiger vs. Gaisano Capital

Earlier, Rose Aquarius recorded its first ever back-to-back wins in the tournament at the expense of Winner Beef Loaf, 67-54. Anthony Linao and Joseph Sedurifa each scored 11 for Rose Aquarius, which never looked back after a rousing 11-0 start on the way to improve its win-loss record to 3-6.

Things looked bright for the Ave Maria cagers as they dictated the pace of the match and even posted an 11-point lead after three quarters, 44-33.

Ave Maria was still ahead by seven at the final 3:44 mark, but the complexion of the match drastically changed when Armecin sank a 3-pointer that pushed San Marino on top, 56-54, with a minute left to play.

San Marino then further preyed on Ave Maria's monumental collapse at the endgame to comeplete the huge turnaround.

Rene Pacquiao had 13 points, while Armecin and Monbert Arong connived for 15 points for San Marino, which now holds a 6-4 win-loss card.

No player cashed in double figures as Ave Maria crashed to its fifth defeat against only three wins.

Earlier, Chester Curso drilled in 17 points but couldn't make a difference as Winner Beef Loaf stayed at the cellar with a woeful 1-7 record.

The scores

First game

Rose Aquarius (67) - Linao 11, Sedurifa 11, Nudalo 7, Cabahug 6, Dajalos 5, J. Ferraren 5, Avila 5, Meca 4, Corcilles 4, Sollano 4, Maraño 3, Fuentes 2

   Winner Beef Loaf (54) - Curso 17, Mimco 6, Taboada 6, Castro 6, Taghoy 5, A. Nazareno 4, Batiquin 3, Lopez 3, Felisario 1

   Second game

San Marino (59) - Pacquiao 13, Brigondo 10, Armecin 8, Arong 7, Guillena 5, Padilla 4, Nalos 3, Hernando 2, Ortuyo 2, Limalima 2, Goloran 1, Ypil 1, Dalondonan 1

Ave Maria (54) - Nudalo 9, Capillar 8, Olbedado 5, Abing 5, Senining 4, Genodiala 4, Suliman 4, Tabaloc 4, C. Parker 4, Dela Rama 3, Lajato 2, Bucayan 2. – THE FREEMAN