La Salle nips gritty Montana

ICTSI-La Salle kept its poise down the stretch to turn back Montana Pawnshop, 68-65, in the 2002 PBL Chairman’s Cup at the Makati Coliseum yesterday.

Willy Wilson, who made 17 points, five rebounds and three assists, drilled in the deciding free throws as the Archers avenged a 72-76 setback at the hands of the Jewelers last April 12.

The Archers notched their sixth win in eight games while dealing the Jewelers their sixth defeat against a lone win.

"We should give credit to Montana for playing a good game. But we kept our poise down the stretch. The boys played solid defense towards the end," said ICTSI-La Salle coach Franz Pumaren.

"Mike Cortez was off, obviously still tired from his record performance against Kutitap. The good thing was Wilson and (Ronald) Cuan took over and defended well against (Sunday) Salvacion and Mark Macapagal," Pumaren added.

Montana fought ICTSI La Salle through five deadlocks and 15 lead changes and enjoyed a 62-59 edge following Macapagal’s two free throws off Wilson, 3:40 remaining in the game.

But the Archers kept the Jewelers scoreless in the next three minutes of play while scoring six points of their own to move upfront at 65-62,

Jayman Misola narrowed the gap to 64-65 on a jumper with time down to 14.3 seconds then gave a quick foul to send Wilson to the stripe. Wilson clinched the win by sinking his two charities.

Cuan backed up Wilson with 14 points and five assists with Nerbert Omolon adding 11 points and four rebounds.

New recruit Sunday Salvacion paced Montana with 18 points while Jam Alfad added 15 points and six