Casino Alcohol cops CBF title over Lhuillier

TOLEDO CITY, Cebu–Casino Rubbing Alcohol got an early Christmas gift when it scored a heart-stopping 58-54 victory over Cebuana Lhuillier Pawnbrokers to capture the 2002 Cebu Basketball Federation (CBF) third conference crown at the Marcelo Barba Sports Center here.

Ronald Paraiso and Bernie Ursal delivered the crucial endgame blows for the Alcohol Specialists to sweep the best-of-three championship series.

General Feeds Megamix prevailed anew over Hapee Sparkling Knights, 85-77, to clinch third place.

For the second time, Hapee’s Reed Friar Juntilla was adjudged the Most Valuable Player after winning the same award in the Carmen Cup last Aug. 10 when the Sparkling Knights copped the crown via a 76-68 triumph over GMC.

Juntilla barely eclipsed GMC consistent scorer Alfie Grijaldo, his closest pursuer for the MVP plum.

Lucky breaks were at Casino’s side especially in the final two minutes even as coach Titing Manalili’s chargers kept their poise under pressure, underscoring the value of experience.

The Pawnbrokers still refused to yield even as they trailed all the way with the ardent hope of sending the series to a rubbermatch.

Riolito Lura nearly gave that chance to Cebuana after he leveled the count at 54 with barely three minutes remaining. But the Pawnbrokers’ unexpected nightmare came when Lura was slapped with a technical foul for hitting Sidney Estrera, 2:33 left.

Paraiso missed the technical free throw, Junel Maglasang grabbed possession for the Cebuana but committed a traveling violation in the return play.

Paraiso converted two charities, 56-54, with 34 seconds to go, and then Ursal sank the insurance freethrows in the last 10 seconds for the final count.<