Shark topples ICTSI Archers

Defending champion Shark Energy Drink relied on its veterans down the stretch to scuttle ICTSI-La Salle, 59-55, yesterday and remain in second place in the PBL Challenge Cup at the Makati Coliseum.

Rysal Castro, Gilbert Malabanan and Chester Tolomia combined for all but three of the Power Boosters’ 13 points in the final quarter to power the team to its seventh win in 11 games.

That enabled Shark to break out of a two-way tie with idle Welcoat Paints (6-4, while preventing pacesetting ICTSI-La Salle from pulling away. The Archers took their third loss against seven wins.

"We really needed this win very badly because it enhanced our chances of clinching one of the two spots in the semifinals," said Shark coach Leo Austria.

Mike Cortez, one of the country’s top amateur cagers, had another scintil-lating perfor-mance as he erupted for nine of his game-high 14 points in the final period, including a triple that knotted the count at 55-all.

But after Malabanan made a split, Michael Robinson turned Cortez from a potential hero to goat with a clutch steal off the La Salle stalwart in the closing seconds, setting up Tolomia for a basket that made it 58-55.

Then Cortez was forced to pass off to James Yap in mid-air but was called for an offensive foul, sending Warren Ybanez to the foul line for the final score.

Blu Detergents tied Shark at second as it turned back Montana, 86-83, behind the endgame heroics of rookie Abe Santos.

Santos, a 6-4 forward out of University of the Philippines, scored points on putbacks in the final quarter, including a tip-in off Francis Sanz’ miss from the foul line with 9.4 seconds remaining to secure the victory for the Detergent Kings.

Mark Macapagal, who buried two triples heading into the final minute, had a chance to force overtime but he muffed his attempt as the Jewellers absorbed their ninth loss in 12 outings.

Santos finished with 10 points and 11 rebounds and went home with the player of the game honors.