Titans repel Cobra five for solo lead

MANILA, Philippines - Oracle Residences came out strong and held off a late charge by Cobra Energy Drink for a 76-68 win and the early solo lead in the PBL PG Flex Unity Cup at the San Juan Gym yesterday.

Rico Maierhofer, Edwin Asoro and Mark Barroca played key roles as the Titans spoiled the Energy Warriors’ debut in the tourney fresh from a training stint in the United States.

“We’re very happy to make it 2-0 but we still have a long way to go in this tourney,” said Oracle coach Glen Capacio.

“We have to work on many things. In this game, we started strong, playing well as a team, then we simply disintegrated. We have to address things like that,” Capacio added.

Oracle, at 2-0, gained the early solo lead in the tourney with Licealiz denying Magnolia Purewater a second straight win in the day’s other game.

Licealiz, formerly Hapee Toothpaste, sputtered in the homestretch in regulation play but recovered in overtime, repulsing Magnolia, 94-90.

Pro-bound Jervy Cruz came through with 19 points and seven rebounds, keeping the Hair Doctors from total collapse as they salvaged the win – their first under new coach Egay Macaraya.

“I never thought winning in this league is this hard. It was tough beating Magnolia,” said Macaraya, a former San Sebastian Stag in the NCAA and Sta. Lucia Realtor in the pro league.

JV Casio and Chris Tiu, both members of the RP developmental pool fresh from a training stint in Belgrade, Serbia, also had a big hand as Licealiz rebounded from a 64-73 loss to Oracle Residences on opening day.

Casio contributed 18 points while Tiu chipped in 11 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Against Oracle, Casio and Tiu combined for only eight.

Cruz, however, delivered the most lethal plays denying Magnolia a followup on its 82-75 drubbing of Pharex also on opening day Tuesday.

The Wizards charged back from a seven-point deficit in the last 1:22 of play and forced the overtime at 81-all on a jumper by Neil Raneses in the closing seconds.

Raneses, a former pro with a brief stint with Coca-Cola, had another explosive game with 26 points but he was contained by Licealiz in the extension play.