Gaisano Capital notches first win in Enervon Partner’s Cup

CEBU, Philippines - The UC Webmasters-manned Gaisano Capital South turned to the endgame heroics of Fil-Am Alexander Asis and the comebacking Gerald Ampoon to repulse the Cebu Landmasters-USC Warriors, 80 -74, for its first win in the Enervon CESAFI Partner's Cup 2013 men's basketball tournament last Tuesday night at the Cebu Coliseum.

Asis, who was among the third quarter unit for Gaisano Capital, scored seven straight of his 11 points in the final period, while Ampoon knocked in a booming 3-pointer that kept Gaisano Capital's head above the waters in the face of a spirited resistance by the Cebu Landmasters.

Gaisano Capital was ahead by only four, 68-72, when small forward Victor Rabat converted his attempt to pull the Cebu Landmasters within just a hairline, 71-72, at the final 2:18 mark of the contest.

In the ensuing play, however, Ampoon sank a buzzer-beating trey and Kido Cabrera made a crucial basket in a 5-0 blitz that gave Gaisano Capital a 77-71 breather with less than a minute left to play.

The Cebu Landmasters threatened for the last time at 74-77 on a three-point play by Ian Ortega as Kyle Misa scored on a barreling drive to bail Gaisano Capital out of danger, 79-74, with only 10 seconds to go.

Cabrera paced Gaisano Capital with 14 points, while Jan Michael Auditor chipped in 10 markers.

Ortega and Francis Dave Guardario led the Cebu Landmasters with 14 and 13 points, respectively. The missing link for the Cebu Landmasters was Fil-Chinese guard Stephen Que, who was held off to a paltry six points, even as big men Garrick Ayala and Charles Pepito were also limited to only 13 points combined.

The scores

Gaisano Capital (80) -  K. Cabrera 14, Asis 11, Auditor 10, Misa 8, Quintao 7, Smith 7, Ampoon 6, Sigasig 4, Yburan 3, Alocillo 2, Mangyao 2, Montilla 2, Tamparong 2, H. Cabrera 2

Cebu Landmasters (74) - Ortega 14, Guardario 13, Romaguera 10, Ayala 8, De Jesus 8, Duran 7, Que 6, Pepito 5, Rabat 2, Magat 1

Halftime: 33-31 (FREEMAN)