Pampanga ties series on the road

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna , Philippines  - The visiting Smart-Pampanga Buddies crushed the host Trace-Laguna Stallions, 78-71, to tie their 2009 Smart Liga Pilipinas Conference II best-of-five quarterfinal series at one game apiece Wednesday evening at the Stallions’ Gym of Trace College.

The seventh-seeded Buddies clamped down on defense, limiting the second-seeded Stallions to only 33 percent shooting from the field while forcing 25 turnovers en route to the fight-marred road win.

“This was an important win on the road for us. It broke their momentum and gave our team the needed boost in confidence that we can compete with these guys. At least now we know we’re going back home to Pampanga,” said Buddies head coach Allan Gregorio.

The Buddies were comfortably ahead, 69-55, when the Stallions scored 12 unanswered points, capped by an Alex Angeles lay-up to threaten, 67-69. Emmerson Oreta then scored a basket, followed by a crucial triple by Joshua Urbiztondo giving the Buddies breathing room, 74-67, with 1:28 to play.

Jerwin Gaco completed a tip-in but it was quickly neutralized by Terrell Theophile’s easy lay-up, 76-69, at the 47-second mark. The Stallions missed a triple and Niño Gelig drew a foul only to miss both free throws.

Buddies leading scorer Don Camaso was thrown out with 5:21 left in the third period together with Stallion Robert Sanz for fighting. Buddies Adonis Sta. Maria and Jemal Vizcarra also got tossed out for entering the court during the melee.