Baguio, Gelig shine as Kutitap smothers Ana

Kutitap Toothpaste made key defensive stops at endgame as it pulled one over Ana Freezers, 79-66, yesterday to boost its bid in the PBL Challenge Cup at the Makati Colisuem.

"Depensa talaga ang pumatay sa kanila. We made key defensive stops in the endgame for this win," said Kutitap coach Coy Banal.

With their defense holding, Cyrus Baguio and Niño Gelig took over on the offensive end as they combined for 26 points in the last two quarters to power Kutitap to its third win in six outings.

The high-leaping Baguio scored 11 of his 17 points in third quarter while Gelig scored the same output in the final period as Kutitap sent Ana Freezers reeling to its fourth loss in six games.

Sophomore Wesley Gonzales, formerly of Ateneo-Pioneer Insurance, also stepped up for Kutitap as the 6-foot-3 wingman tossed in 17 points, 11 of which he scored from the free throw line.

It was actually a close match up to the last two minutes of play with Kutitap and Ana battling it out to nine deadlocks and seven lead changes until Gelig exploded with big baskets down the stretch to give Kutitap the momentum. — Joey Villar