Montana stops Ateneo-Pioneer

Rookie Jenkins Mesina delivered the goods when his team needed it most as Montana Pawnshop turned back a hard-fighting Ateneo-Pioneer side, 65-58, yesterday to clinch a semifinal berth in the PBL Challenge Cup at the Makati Coliseum.

Mesina scored four of his 16 points in the final two minutes of play including a triple which sent the Jewellers to their sixth win in eight outings and a share of the lead with Shark Energy Drink.

Mesina’s long trey with 13.6 seconds to go dashed whatever hopes were left for the Policy Makers, who rallied from 10 points down in the last quarter only to lose steam in the homestretch.

Eldrick Ferrer poured in nine of the Policy Makers’ last 11 points that pushed them closer, 58-60, with a minute to go but missed a three-pointer that would have given them the lead and momentum.

Ateneo-Pioneer had a chance to force a five-minute extension period but left Mesina wide open from the left quartercourt for that backbreaker of a triple which dealt the Policy Makers their fifth loss against three wins.

But more than Mesina’s heroic performance, Montana coach Leo Isaac shared the credit with pointguard Orly Torrent, who, despite being hampered by cramped right leg, finished with a game-high 18 points.

"Jenkins (Mesina) got the job done when needed but I think credit should also go to Orly Torrente," said Isaac, who is seeking to avenge their losses to Shark and Hapee Toothpaste when they face the two in their last two matches.

After unleashing a second quarter offensive to take control of the game, Montana started to play sloppy anew as Ateneo-Pioneer rallied back and even took a 43-42 spread late in the third period with a slam dunk by Richard Alvarez.

The Jewellers, who are in the semis for the first time in four conferences, regained composure by retaking the lead, 57-47, until Ferrer exploded only to see it doused by Mesina’s hurting triple. – Blue Villar