Blustar sings the blues no more, nips Montana

Erick dela Cuesta fired a team-high 23 points, including Blustar’s last six points, as the Detergent Kings finally came out of the rut, repulsing the Montana Jewels, 72-69, yesterday in the PBL Unity Cup at the Pasig Sports Center.

The victory snapped Blustar’s four-game losing skein while denying Montana coach Bong Go a decent exit after quitting the other day due to health reason.

Go, whose Jewels also slid to 1-4, was gracious in defeat.

"The boys tried their best but luck was not on our side. Maganda sanang send-off sa akin kung nanalo kami," said Go.

Dela Cuesta also did well on the defensive end as he grabbed seven rebounds while dishing out three assists in another solid game for the team. But unlike in the team’s previous four games, Dela Cuesta drew support from former pro Jenkins Mesina this time.

Mesina finished with 13 points he highlighted by hitting back-to-back baskets – including a triple — in a bristling 8-0 run that gave them a 66-56 lead midway in the final quarter.

But the Jewels refused to give up and rallied to within 69-70 behind Al Magpayo and Jondan Salvador with barely 38 second left in the contest.

But Dela Cuesta foiled their bid as he calmly hit two free throws to secure the victory.

The Jewels actually had another opportunity to send the game into overtime but Magpayo missed a potential game-tying trey as time expired. Magpayo paced the Jewels with 24 points, 14 rebounds, five blocks and three assists.

Viva Mineral Water rode on an explosive run in the fourth quarter as it thumped Lee Pipes-Ateneo, 89-76, in the second game.