Baguio ensures Hapee ending

Cyrus Baguio scored seven of his 16 points in the final quarter as Hapee Toothpaste turned back Montaña Pawnshop, 51-46, yesterday to move up to third spot in the PBL Challenge Cup at the Makati Coliseum.

Held to a scoreless third quarter, Baguio regained his bearing in the last period then capped his endgame brilliance with an assist to Jaymar Rivera that gave the Teeth Sparklers a 49-46 cushion that sealed their third win in five games.

But while he credited Baguio’s offense in the clutch, Hapee coach Stevenson Tiu said it was their defense that was the key to the victory.
"Cyrus played big in clutch situations but I think it’s our zone defense in the fourth quarter that was the key to our win," said Tiu.

So unforgiving was Hapee’s defense that it held Montaña to just six points in the last quarter and scoreless in the final three minutes, enabling the Teeth Sparklers to secure the victory that gave the hold of third spot.

Montaña actually had two chances of forcing a five-minute extension but a three-point attempt by Ernest Medina at the baseline was blocked by Rivera and Ricky Calimag’s desperation shot on top of the key fell short of its target.

Francis Mercado’s two foul shots with no time left capped the win for the Teeth Sparklers, who dealt the Jewellers their second straight loss for a 4-2 record, behind leader Shark Energy Drink (6-0).

In the second game, La Salle-Osaka snapped its four-game skid as it downed Pharmaquick, 67-50, to notch its third win in seven outings.