Jewelers glisten in stretch

Montana Pawnshop made Blu All Purpose pay for its complacency in the fourth quarter as it eked out a come-from-behind 65-62 victory to seize solo second place in the PBL Challenge Cup at the Makati Coliseum yesterday.

Edgar Echavez, a journeyman in the defunct MBA, scored a deciding three-pointer with a second to go as the Jewelers notched their second win in three outings.

Defense actually spelled the big difference in the Montana comeback as the Jewelers held their Blu rivals to a single basket in the final six minutes of play.

"Decoy lang si Egay (Echavez) but I’m glad tinira niya noong kinakailangan," said Montana coach Ronnie Dojillo.

Earlier, John O won its first game under new coach Dong Vergeire, scuttling Dazz Dishwashing Liquid, 71-63, on crucial three-pointers down the stretch.

"It’s a good start not only for me but the whole team," said Vergeire, who had to cut short a vacation in the United States after getting the offer to replace Manny Dandan on the John O bench.

"I just hope we could regain the confidence this team had lost. And hopefully this win would serve as a springboard for bigger things ahead," added Vergeire — a former Dazz coach.

Rosauro Salvador and Mark Macapagal hit the big treys as John O, winner of the first of two PBL-CBF Dual Meet, nailed its first win in three starts in the tourney.

Allan Salangsang fired 14 points but failed to get the needed support from his teammates.