CEBU, Philippines - Height advantage and vast experience proved to be the key when Theam Cargo Forwarding Services/Mambaling survived a scare against the Alberto's Pizza to escape with a 115-107 victory and sweep the elimination round of the St. Augustine Fiesta Cup 2011 basketball tournament at the Inayawan Sports Complex.
Despite leading by 13 points before the end of the third period, 82-69, Theam Cargo of coach Danny Duran struggled down the homestretch when the undermanned Alberto's Pizza was awakened from deep slumber.
Former USC Warrior point guard Vernini Tangarorang ignited a furious endgame rally for Alberto’s Pizza capped by four straight triples to give his team the lead, 99-98, to the delight of the Inayawan basketball fans.
It was in that instance that experience spelled the difference when grizzled veteran and gangling center Danny delos Santos delivered the crucial baskets to lead his team with 31 points.
The other factor was the presence of bullstrong forward Wowie Escocio, a man to watch in the local collegiate scene as he finished with 21 points.
The three-point shooting by both the Theam Cargo and Alberto's were almost impeccable but the latter had an 11-10 edge from beyond the arc with Tangarorang accounting for a total of nine. He had a string of four consecutive triples in the fourth period that electrified the crowd.
Theam Cargo/Mambaling's own three-point artist in Michael Sumayang had six and contributed a total of 24 points to his team while the devious-looking JR Lopez scored all his 12 points from beyond the arc.
Oliver Sanoy led Alberto's with 30 points and Tangarorang finished with 29 markers.
Danny Aying was also scoring well for Alberto's with 24 points, but his shooting went sour towards the closing minutes of the fourth period.
Alberto's played without top center Enrico Llanto who had a previous appointment and their would-be import Alex Cainglet was not allowed to play as the rule stipulates that there would be no more late additions to the original roster.
Theam Cargo/Mambaling swept the elimination with 4-0 win-loss record. Officially though, Theam Cargo had still one more game left against the CHV but the latter withdrew from participation
Ex-pro Bonbel Balingit is still to play as import for Theam Cargo/Mambaling making this team the hands down pick for the title. The team is managed by Mambaling Barangay Councilman Emier Hamis and owned by Olive Paraguas.
The tournament is organized to highlight the Inayawan fiesta on August 28.
The scores:
Theam Cargo (115) - Delos Santos 31, Sumayang 24, Escocio 21, Lopez 12, Daclan 8, Divinagracia 6, Duran 6, Martunillas 4, Camay 2, Alano 1
Alberto's Pizza (107) - Sanoy 30, Tangarorang 29, Aying 24, Groograd 13, Bode 5, Chua 4, Kasayan 2 (FREEMAN)