Blu forces rubber versus Montana

CEBU CITY — Blu Detergent bounced back with a vengeance for a 75-67 decision over Montana Pawnshop yesterday and forced a deciding Game Three in the Cebu Basketball Federation-Philippine Basketball League Partnership Cup at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Detergent Kings made a complete turnaround from their listless performance in Game One and evened the series at one-game apiece.

Marlon Legaspi led Blu scorers with 18 points while Lou Gatumbato played with suprising intensity and netted 17. Jacques Gottenbos and Aries Dimaunahan likewise delivered crucial points with 12 and 11, respectively.

"We had a long talk about our lapses, especially on the execution of our plays. This time, everything went according to plan," said Blu head coach Leo Isaac.

"And Game Three should not be different. I told them to even double their efforts since Montana will really try to get back. I expect the rubber match to be tough throughout," he added.

It seemed that this team, with half of its lineup revitalized with new recruits, has jelled so quickly that the Detergent Kings played as an organized unit throughout, showing sticky defense and fiery offense that steered them to a rousing 22-8 start.

Blu wrapped up the first half with a 37-26 margin and exploded in the third with a blazing 13-2 blast that stretched the gap to 22 points, 50-28, in the first three minutes of the final half.

The Jewelers took a courageous move to get back on track. Jam Alfad, Raymond Valenzona and Gary David stepped up to thin the gap to 49-59 while Mark Macapagal, held to just five points in the first half, scattered eight points including three triples in the final quarter to trim the gap to just three, 62-65, 3:21 remaining.