P’masters find real gem to thwart Jewels

Welcoat found a gem in Leo Najorda who took charge in the second half, firing 12 points as the Paintmasters edged the Montaña Jewels, 82-80, last night to gain the headstart in their best-of-five showdown for the PBL Unity Cup crown at the Astrodome.

It was a big comeback for Najorda, a former Montaña cager who struggled for only two points in the first two quarters but exploded with seven in the third before closing out with a five-point splurge that carried the Paintmasters past the Jewels.

"After playing three bad games, Leo came back with two straight big games," said Welcoat coach Caloy Garcia of Najorda who finished with 14 points. "He’s trying to prove something because he came from Montaña."

From nine points down, 67-76, Montaña fought back behind Alex Compton, who starred in a fiery 13-5 run that put the Jewels to within a point, 80-81, with 16.7 seconds to go in the contest.

But Jay Washington, one of the leading candidates for the MVP plum, split his charities to give Welcoat a two-point cushion.

Welcoat had a chance to force an overtime but the sweet-shooting Compton, who finished with a game-high 25 points, overshot a lay-up in the dying seconds, enabling the Paint Masters to escape with the win.

Welcoat, which made it to the finals four straight times and 11th overall, now shoots for a commanding 2-0 lead in Game 2 tomorrow, also at the Astrodome.

Earlier, Cebu native Jet Latonio drained a jumper with over a second remaining as Granny Goose Kornets stunned Magnolia Ice Cream, 67-65, to clinch third place.

But it was Chiko Lanete who made things happen for the Snack Masters as he led his team with 15 points, that included a four-point binge that broke a 61-all deadlock.