Viva spills LBC; Welcoat prevails

Viva Mineral Water held LBC-Batangas to a single basket in the last four minutes of play to score a 74-66 decision yesterday in the Sunkist-PBL 2003 Unity Cup at the Pasig Sports Center.

Francis Gerard Jones came up with 17 points, four rebounds and three assists but it was Warren Ybanez who turned things around for the Water Force at endgame, leading the team to its first win in four starts.

The Batangas Blades suffered their third consecutive defeat in four games.

Marlon Kalaw and Mel Latoreno delivered the key plays as Welcoat Paints also nailed its first win at the expense of Montana Jewels, 69-66, in the second game.

"I should give credit to the boys for their big show. I told them if we can’t surpass the intensity of our rivals, we try to at least match it. That’s what they did," said coach Koy Banal.

The two teams figured in a see-saw battle that went through seven deadlocks and eight lead changes.

LBC Batangas held the lead the last time at 64-63 on a free throw by Joe Dominguez’ off a foul by Ybanez, 4:12 remaining in the game.

A jumper by Joel Co touched off an 11-2 wrap-up that had Viva Mineral Water finally barging into the win-column in the tourney.

Jones nailed a charity shot while Sonny Margate scored on a layup following a steal off Alex Compton as Viva surged ahead for good, 68-64, 1:04 left.

The Blades lost it all as Ronald Allan Capati muffed a crucial trey while Compton was called for a backing violation all inside the last 47 seconds.

Ybanez continued the Water Force’s assault as he went four-of-four from the free throw in the last 30 seconds.

Viva dominated the boards, 50-45, drew eight points on offensive rebounds and scored 12 points on LBC’s 14.

Don Yabut backed up Jones with 14 points, six rebounds and three blocks while Co added 11 points and four rebounds.

Compton, despite his endgame lapses, led LBC-Batangas with 15 points and three rebounds while Ralph Rivera added 13.