Trace-Laguna thwarts Pampanga in opener

LOS BANOS, Laguna, Philippines – The second seed Trace-Laguna Stallions held off the Smart-Pampanga Buddies, 62-60, at the start of their quarterfinal duel in the Smart Liga Pilipinas Conference II at the Stallions’ Gym here Tuesday.

The win gave Laguna the headstart in their best-of-five series with the Stallions eyeing for No. 2 late Wednesday, also at the Trace gym.

Alex Angeles split his charities in the last 11 seconds, securing the victory for the Stallions.

Earlier, Laguna’s Glen Bolocon missed his free throws with the Stallions keeping a shaky 61-60 lead with 15 seconds left in the contest. But Angeles grabbed the ball in a mad scramble, drawing a foul from Khiel Misa, who missed on a desperate trey at the buzzer.

“We needed to win this one. We have been off for a while and we played a little bit rusty. But we know the Buddies will be back and we just have to play harder in Game 2,” Laguna coach Nomar Isla said.

The Buddies took an 11-point lead in the third period but the Stallions struck back behind Jay-Ar Estrada, who combined with Bolocon, Jerwin Gaco, Axel Doruelo and Angeles in the fightback.

Meanwhile, defending champion and third seed M. Lhuillier-Cebu opens its quarterfinal series with Ilocos Sur at 6 tonight at the University of San Carlos-Main Gym.