Eagles shock Slashers; Lakers fined

The Davao Eagles unleashed a decisive run in the final quarter to post a stunning 105-101 victory over the Negros Slashers yesterday and barge into the win column of the MBA First Phase at the San Juan Gym.

Rookie Peter Simon and veteran Romy dela Rosa, formerly of Negros, hit the biggest baskets of the game while Michael Mañigo helped preserve the victory by nailing two crucial charities down the stretch.

It was the first victory after five straight defeats for the Eagles while the loss was the second against five wins for the Slashers.

The Eagles trailed, 88-90, with less than eight minutes remaining when they outscored the Slashers, 13-4, en route to a 101-94 lead with barely 1:37 left.

In the other game, the San Juan Knights got back at the Cebu Gems, running away with a 108-75 victory for a 6-2 record.

The Gems, who defeated the Knights two weeks ago in a "foul-riddled" game which led to huge fines and a two-game suspension on San Juan coach Philip Cezar, slipped to 5-3.

Meanwhile, Chris Clay of the Laguna Lakers was fined P4,000 by MBA Commissioner Ogie Narvasa yesterday for continuously arguing with the referees in his team’s 100-95 victory over the Cebu Gems last Wednesday in Sta. Cruz, Laguna.

Lakers coach Boni Garcia was also fined P2,000 while two other players from Laguna – Jeffrey Flowers and Jerome Barbosa – were reprimanded for protesting the referees’ calls. It was the first time that Garcia and Clay drew fines from the league. — Joey Villar