Kia rallies past Lion Tiger

CEBU, Philippines - The Kia Motors/CIT-U Wildcats streaked past Lion Tiger Katol/USJ-R Jaguars, 98-91, at the start of the second round of elimination in the 6th CESAFI Partner's Cup men's basketball tournament last night at the Cebu Coliseum. 

Aside from exacting vengeance to their 78-88 loss to Lion Tiger during the first round, the victory also gave Kia Motors a 3-2 win-loss record in a tie with its victim.

Down by 11 points late in the second period, 31-42, the Kia Motors came close in the third period behind their torrid shooting from the three-point arc.

John Graf ignited Kia's sizzling run by hitting back-to-back triples that gave them a 58-55 lead at 5:58 of the third period.

Graf hit his third triple of the night as Kia Motors hung on to a 71-70 lead going into the final period.

Jeffrey Taghoy joined the fray by knocking in a pair of treys and Franklyn Batiquin scored on a perimeter jumper to pad Kia's lead to nine, 83-74.

Batiquin nailed the final nail on Lion Tiger's coffin with a treble as they mounted their largest lead of the game, 92-82.

Taghoy had 16 points for Kia Motors, Batiquin had 15 and Graf added 13 markers.

Jason Oldebado topscored for Lion Tiger with 21 points, while Miguel Tabaloc and Zandro Palieo had 15 and 13 points, respectively.

The scores

Kia Motors-CIT/U (98) - Taghoy 16, Batiquin 15, Graf 13, Dela Cerna 9, Rabaya 9, Menguito 8, Dimco 7, Brigoli 5, Sanchez 4, Pono 2, Tabalin 1

Lion Tiger-USJR (91) - Oldebado 21, Tabaloc 15, Palileo 13, Dela Rama 8, Regalado 6, Abing 6, Sulaiman 5, Perez 5, Molas 3, Medalle 2, Lajato 2, Capillar 2 Halftime: 49-44  (GGM)(FREEMAN)