Francis Machica topped with 22 points including four triples as the Snipers held the rivals scoreless down the stretch to start its title campaign on a bright note.
Trailing 61-74 midway the final period, Marphil Limbo and Theody Habelito combined with an 11-0 blast capped by Mario Reyes’ jumper that moved San Pablo-Cooking Oil within striking distance, 72-74, with 2:29 to go.
But the Ilocos Sur Snipers stepped up on defense behind Kalani Ferreria who hauled 13 rebounds to silence the rivals.
Too bad, ace pointguard Froilan Baguion earlier fouled out — as San Pablo-Spring had a hard time getting their ball rotation going to bail out of the Snipers’ defense.
Snipers slotman Philip Butel sank both his charities off Reyes while Machica buried two more freethrows off Limbo to virtually seal the victory with 14 seconds left before Kenny Evans wrapped it up with a basket in the final three seconds.
A simple but meaningful ceremony, witnessed by a jampacked crowd, commenced the affair where NBL chairman Christian Tan emphasized the potent power of basketball in unifying the Filipino people.
"We are all in basketball, and basketball has been the passion of the Filipino people. Let’s keep that passion burning, and hopefully, we could bond the Filipino people from all regions together crossing the barriers of land, sea and air through the Panasonic-NBL Regional Cup 2003," said Tan who was joined by San Pablo City Mayor Florante Aquino and Panasonic Phils. president Rodolfo Perez among others.
Ken Gumpenberger and Ferreria backed up Machica with 13 and 11 points, respectively, as the Snipers controlled the board, 48-44.
Reyes led San Pablo-Spring with 20 points and seven rebounds while Limbo added 12.
The scores:
Ilocos Sur Snipers 80 — Machica 22, Gumpenberger 13, Ferreria 11, Agapito 10, Evans 9, Barbosa 9, Reyes 2, Tadeo 1, Quitoriano 0, Sillona 0.
San Pablo-Spring-7 Lakers 72 — Reyes 20, Limbo 12, Habelito 10, Tolentino 10, Baguion 9, Omania 4, Santos 3, Lapinid 2, Alberto 2, Anonuevo 0, Maghirang 0.
Quarterscores: 20-16; 35-34; 59-61; 80-72