Unitec, Puyat Steel and Boysen start strong in UABC caging

CEBU, Philippines - Unitec Pipes kicked off its title defense on a bright note, while Puyat Steel and Boysen Paints also got off to flying starts in the United Architects Basketball Club (UABC) Corporate Cup Season 6 last Sunday at the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) gym.

Criz Matunog cashed in 18 points, while Oliver Tan and Antonio "Jay-R" Decatoria, Jr. chipped in 13 markers apiece as Unitec streaked past Durabend Pipes, 66-44. Elmer Laguna paced Durabend with 19 points followed by Jonas Panerio with 12.

On the other hand, Ryan Rizarri, Neil Belga and Paul Romero connived for 32 points in Puyat Steel's hard-earned 66-63 victory over Cebu Home Builders, while Michael Cinco banged in 14 points as Boysen Paints slammed Matimco, 66-48, in the lone lopsided match of a featured triple-header.

Three other players netted double figures for Boysen Paints. Glicerio Villacorta finished with a dozen points, Josephril Partosa added 11 and team captain Mito Parba had 10 as they ripped the game apart as early as in the first period, 28-7.

Boysen Paints sustained its sizzling offensive to mount a commanding 27-point advantage at halftime, 44-17, leaving the hapless Matimco in the dark the rest of the way. Jodl-Job Dabon was the lone bright spot for Matimco with 14 points.

Earlier, Puyat Steel recovered from a lukewarm start to baffle Cebu Home Builders at the final buzzer. They trailed by five early on, 13-18, but fought back with savvy in the second cantro to wrest the driver's seat at halftime, 33-29, for good.

Oliver Maspiñas fired 21 points and Ian Osmeña tossed in 19 markers in a losing effort for Cebu Home Builders.

The scores

First game

Unitec (66) – Matunog 18, Decatoria 13, O.Tan 13, Pansit 7, J. Ong 5, Baladya 4,Tiro 4, A. Tan 2

Durabend (64) – Laguna 19, Panerio 12, Pepito 10, Sasan 7, Tan 6, Somosot 4, Geonzon 2, Siaotong 2, Radomes 2

Quarterscores: 14-14;27-29;48-47;66-64

Second game

Puyat Steel (66) – Rizarri 12, Belga 10, Romero 10, Marquita 9, Lacbayo 8, Go 6, Quiling 5, Silao 4, Tomaquin 2

Cebu Home Builders (63) – Maspiñas 21, Osmeña 19, Lastimosa 6, Sanchez 6, Paradero 5, Abellana 2, Basalo 2, Donasco 2

Quarterscores: 13-18;33-29;53-44;66-63

Third game

Boysen (66) – Cinco 14, Villacorta 12, Partosa 11, Parba 10, Anino 6, Badayos 6, Alberto 4, Manal 3

Matimco(48) – Dabon 14, Pandaan 10, Branzuela 9, Vidal 5, Magtuba 3, Lumayag 3, J. Flores 2, Castillo 2

Quarterscores: 27-8;44-17;53-36;66-48 (FREEMAN)