Sealers solid defense stops Port Masters

Henkel-Sista displayed a solid interior defense and went to its guards for the offensive firepower as it drubbed Harbour Centre, 80-72, in the PBL Silver Cup at the Emilio Aguinaldo College Gym yesterday.

Six-foot-8 slotman Samingue Eman was the team’s defensive wall at the paint while Marcy Arellano, Khiel Misa and Corado Fritz Bauzon the offensive sparkplugs as the Super Sealers outplayed the Port Masters for their fifth win in seven games.

"I’m not putting pressure on him (Eman) on offense, I want him to concentrate on playing defense which he just did," said Henkel-Sista coach Caloy Garcia.

In the other game, Magnolia Ice Cream came out of its shell and downed Hapee Toothpaste-PCU, 79-67.

Eman, a former University of Mindanao standout, accounted for nine of his team’s 53 rebounds, three of their four blocks and added three points.

Henkel-Sista is now 2-of-2 with Eman in tow.

Chico Lanete led all scorers with 18 points but the Port Masters didn’t get the needed production from collegiate superstar JC Intal, who finished with measly two points on a horrible one-of-11 clip from the field in 26 minutes of action.

Intal’s so-so game stymied the Port Masters, the 2006 Heroes Cup champions who absorbed a second straight defeat and their third in five outings.

With their defense holding, the Super Sealers held the Port Masters to six points in the first quarter and carried a 14-point lead into the second canto.

Henkel-Sista raced to an 18-point lead twice with the last at 46-28 early in the third quarter.