Team Pilipinas holds off South All Stars

PANABO, Davao del Norte, Philippines – The Powerade Team Pilipinas sustained its fine form for a second win in 48 hours, outclassing the South All Stars, 103-99, in the Panabo leg of the 2009 Motolite PBA All-Star Week at the Panabo Gym here last night.

The Nationals rode the momentum of their 98-90 rout of the North All Stars in Victorias, Negros Occidental Wedneday night, dominating a contest over a talent-laden rival.

Displaying a wide range of offensive firepower, the Nationals opened a 26-point spread in the third quarter and held off a rallying South team in the fourth, riding on the exploits of Jared Dillinger.

The versatile Fil-Am forward came through with a crucial seven-point binge, personally breaking the back of the South team at 101-97 entering the final minute of the game.

Dillinger amassed 12 points, three assists and three blocks, and was later named the game’s MVP winner, earning P20,000 for the effort.

Making it two in a row following their win in Victorias, the RP team has pocketed P150,000 in the All-Star series supported by Powerade, Coca-Cola, Nike, Accel and Phoenix Fuel.

As in the series opener, the Nationals dished out a balanced offensive game with 10 players finishing with at least seven points each. An ailing Kelly Williams and an injured Sonny Thoss missed the game.

James Yap, Kerby Raymundo, Asi Taulava and Jay Helterbrand struck hard in the third period, starring for the team in the quarter where they outscored the South team by 20.

Everybody in the venue had thought it was over when the Nationals pulled away at 84-58, but Ronald Tubid and Jimmy Alapag came through with clutch baskets in the fourth, carrying the South team to within 87-94.

Dillinger, however, cut short their comeback bid.

Starting this time with Dillinger, Helterbrand, Cyrus Baguio, Mick Pennisi and Ranidel de Ocampo, the Nationals took the opening quarter at 28-21 and led by as many as nine before settling for a 51-49 edge at the half.

Peter June Simon, the 2008 All-Star Game MVP, came out strong in the second period, firing eight straight points to spark a run that had the South Stars pulling even at 47-all.

Ryan Reyes and Arwind Santos both scored on a fastbreak as against a jumper by Jay Washington, enabling the Nationals to carry a two-point lead into the final half.