Powerful Sparks claim Game 1

Toyota Otis used a stifling defense to put Harbour Centre’s offense out-of-sync as it fashioned out a surprisingly easy 68-51 victory yesterday in Game One of their best-of-five PBL Unity Cup title showdown at the packed Olivarez Sports Center.

The Sparks held the Port Masters to just six points in the first quarter to seize control then kept the momentum throughout behind Christian Coronel and Aaron Aban, who stepped up when Fil-Am Joe Devance went into foul trouble in the final half.

Coronel scattered 13 points in the second and third periods while Aban took over in the fourth by scoring eight of his 14 points as the Sparks gained the headstart in what is billed to be a tight, tense series between two teams of varying characters.

Toyota’s defense, however, could change all that.

"Our collective defense worked, we stopped their top two scorers," said Toyota Otis coach Louie Alas, referring to the prolific, flashy duo of Joseph Yeo and LA Tenorio.

Yeo was held to just 10 points after muffing 13 of the 17 shots he took while Tenorio went three-of-10 from the field to finish with only nine points.

Yeo and Tenorio, however, are expected to atone for their so-so games in tomorrow’s Game Two, also at the Olivarez gym.

The Sparks would be more than willing to shackle them again.

"Knowing them, they’re going to fight back, they’ve proven that this conference," said Alas.

Earlier, pro-league-bound Rain or Shine exited in a blaze of glory as it ripped Montaña, 90-65, in their knockout duel for third place.

"It was a nice run for this franchise," said Rain or Shine coach Leo Austria, whose Wellbest-owned team will leave the league to join the PBA this November.

The franchise had been in the PBL for almost a decade, winning six championships including one under Austria, who will also coach its PBA squad.

The league also bid goodbye to Alex Compton, who played his last conference after a four-year stint in the league.

Compton, who steered the Jewels to the 2004 title, was awarded a plaque of appreciation for serving as an inspiration and a role model.

"He’s a complete gentleman, he deserves this special award," said commissioner Chino Trinidad, who personally handed over the special award.

After trailing by 10 points in the first half, the Port Masters fought their way back to within three (37-40), but Coronel and Aban combined in a series of runs that saw the Sparks speed to as many as 21 points, 60-39, early in the final quarter.

A Yeo-inspired 10-0 run cut that lead down to 11, 49-60, but Aban and Devance, a top MVP contender, came through with clutch baskets to thwart Harbour Centre and seal the victory for Toyota.

Playing tough defense, the Sparks broke a 6-all tie with 10-0 blitz to end the opening period ahead, 16-6.

The Port Masters tried to close the gap by pounding it inside, drawing fouls in the process. But they just couldn’t convert on their free throw opportunities, missing seven of 13 attempts in the second period.