Harbour, Toyota take Game 1

Guard Chico Lanete played big for Harbour Centre yesterday as the Port Masters waged a breakaway in the second quarter and avoided an endgame collapse in beating the Montaña Jewels, 85-79, in Game One of their PBL Unity Cup best-of-five semifinal showdown at the Olivarez Sports Center.

Lanete came up with 21 points, eight rebounds and four assists as he sizzled in Harbour Centre’s second-quarter siege and endgame escape act that gave the team the crucial head start in the series.

"After getting the big lead at halftime, the boys relaxed and held their punches. Thanks to Chico, Montaña wasn’t able to steal the game," said Harbour Centre coach Jorge Gallent.

"I’m happy with the win but not with the attitude shown by the boys toward the end. We have to correct that if we’re to win this series," Gallent added.

Coming from a weeklong rest, the second-seeded Jewels started out flat and needed a fiery chase to get back in the thick of things in the fourth quarter.

Efforts by Larry Rodriguez, Alex Compton and Al Vergara carried Montaña to within four at 79-83 after trailing by 31 at the turn.

But Lanete would come to Harbour Centre’s rescue, disallowing Montaña to get closer.

Lanete, a prized guard out of Lyceum, himself sealed their win with two free throws with 9.7 ticks left.

Counting their two key victories in their quarterfinal tiffs with Granny Goose, Harbour Centre has won three in a row.

Toyota Otis likewise had to survive a scare at endgame as it downed Rain or Shine, 64-59, in the opener of their own best-of-five semis duel.