Batang Pier thwart Wiz for solo lead

Reed Juntilla fired 16 of his 25 points in the last quarter as Harbour Centre nipped Magnolia Pure Water, 76-75, yesterday to seize the solo lead in the PBL PG Flex Linoleum Cup at the Jose Rizal U Gym.

The Batang Pier battled back from 16 points down with Juntilla, back with the team he helped win the third of its five straight title romp in the league, taking charge in the last period to turn back the Wizards in a duel of unbeaten teams.

“Reed (Juntilla) wanted to win for us today. It was a good thing he stepped up in the last quarter,” said Harbour Centre coach Jorge Gallent, whose wards chalked up their third straight victory.

Magnolia, which sat on a 16-point cushion in the first half, had one more chance to snatch the win but ex-pro Al Magpayo flubbed a layup as the Wizards took their first loss after back-to-back victories.

Dylan Ababou missed one of his free throws at endgame as Magnolia failed to send the game into overtime.

Juntilla, who gave up his chance to play in the pros to suit up with the Batang Pier, actually struggled for only nine points in the first three quarters. But he caught fire in the last period, eluding Magnolia’s defense for the crucial offensive thrust, including four straight free throws that tied the game at 74.

JP Alcaraz drained a triple to give Magnolia a 74-70 lead but after Juntilla knotted the count from the line, Mark Andy Barroca squeezed in a layup as Harbour went ahead, 76-74, with less than two minutes left in the contest.

Meanwhile, Toyota Otis finally barged into the win column as it downed Bacchus Energy, 91-86. RJ Jazul and JV Casio combined for five triples in the fourth quarter to hold off the Bacchus Warriors in a torrid fourth quarter shootout for a 1-3 card. Bacchus slid to 1-2.