Prime Asia advances into Partner's Cup finals

CEBU, Philippines - Lanky forward Chris Perolino and Phil Mercader made crucial baskets in the final one minute of the contest as Prime Asia-UV Lancers repulsed the hard-fighting Lion Tiger/USJ-R Jaguars, 96-93, to barge into the finals of the 6th CESAFI Partner's Cup men's basketball tournament last Thursday night at the Cebu Coliseum.

Perolino canned a medium-range jumper to shatter a 91-all deadlock and hand the lead back to Prime Asia, 93-91, with only 55 seconds left to play. Moments later, Mercader scored on a layup off a nifty assist by Eman Calo that gave them a 95-91 breather with only 31.3 seconds to go.

Wowie Escocio, who topscored for Prime Asia with 25 points, split his charities in the final 11 seconds before Miguel Tabaloc scored in Lion Tiger's last possesion to peg the final count. Escocio had 12 points in a decisive fourth-quarter assault.

Perolino pumped in 13 of his 19 points in the third quarter, but it was also during that juncture that Lion Tiger became aggressive and began to pile up points to erase a 17-point deficit at halftime, 29-45.

Jason Olbedado hit a triple and Banjo Capillar completed a rare four-point play backed up by a couple of interceptions by James Regalado as Lion Tiger pulled within striking distance, 57-62.

Prime Asia, however, kept with grace under heavy pressure to clinch its second straight win that assured them of an outright finals berth.

Olbedado topscored for Lion Tiger with 24 points, 15 in the third period, while Capillar had 10 of his 12 points in the fourth.

Renato Abing had a breakout performance of 13 of his 18 points in the fourth period. He was also responsible for Lion Tiger's daring rally that gave them a 78-77 lead with still 7:10 left in the game.

Abing squared the count at 80-all and after Tabaloc put Lion Tiger in front anew, 82-80 and match went close all the way.

Olbedado's charities brought the game into its last deadlock at 91-all as Prime Asia responded with two straight baskets to wrap up the match.

Lion Tiger, thus, needs to win over Kia Motors today to book the remaining championship ticket.

The scores

Prime Asia (96) - Escocio 25, Perolino 19, Mercader 16, Abad 10, Calo 9, Avillanoza 7, Mendoza 6

Lion Tiger (93) - Olbedado 24, Abing 18, Capillar 12, Regalado 12, Tabaloc 9, Sanchez 7, Lajato 5, Dela Rama 3, Perez 2, Palileo 1 (FREEMAN)