Joseph Yeo, LA Tenorio and Chico Lanete redeemed themselves from their poor showing in Game One, spearheading Harbour Centre’s fiery attack that led to their big comeback from a 51-68 loss in the series opener.
Now tied with one game apiece, the Port Masters and the Sparks fight for the pivotal second win in the series in Game Three Tuesday in the same venue.
"My guards played like big men," said Harbour Centre coach Jorge Gallent, referring to the Yeo, Tenorio and Lanete who combined for 55 points.
While Yeo took care of things in the first half where he scored the bulk of his game-high 25 points, Tenorio and Lanete got the job done in the second half.
Tenorio led a blistering run in the third quarter that increased their 36-32 lead to 54-42 while Lanete starred in their fourth-quarter surge that secured their win.
The Port Masters made a big turnaround from their mediocre stint in the series opener, shackled by the Sparks’ pressing defense.
"We distributed and shared the ball well. That was one of the keys," said Gallent on their improvement offensively.
The two teams figured in a fierce showdown in the first half marked by five deadlocks and the same number of lead changes.
But the Port Masters strung up eight unanswered points late in the second period to seize a 32-24 advantage at the break.
Earlier, Toyota Otis’ Joe Devance, getting tremendous boost from media and player votes, beat fellow Fil-Am player Kelly Williams of Magnolia Ice Cream for the Most Valuable Player plum.
Williams actually led statistical point race but Devance topped the balloting to win the coveted individual award.
Devance, a former University of Texas-El Paso standout, garnered 443.28 MVP points, way ahead of Williams with 357.58.
Devance and Williams could become among the top picks in the coming PBA Rookie Draft should they complete necessary papers affirming their Filipino citizenship.