Taguig sweeps Liga leg prelims

TAGUIG , Philippines   – Host team Forward Taguig swept the preliminary round of the Smart Liga Pilipinas Conference III Taguig leg with an 85-73 thrashing of the erstwhile undefeated Smart-Pampanga Buddies Friday evening at the C. P. Tinga Memorial Hall.

From the game’s last deadlock at 59-59 early in the final period, Forward Taguig of Mayor Freddie Tinga and coach Bing Victoria turned to veteran forward Marvin Ortiguerra and rookie point guard Rex Leynes to deliver the crucial scores. Taguig’s defense also went to work, holding the Buddies without a field goal in a six-minute span. The Buddies also did not help their own cause by shooting miserably from the free throw line, making five out of 10 tries.

“We knew that we won’t beat Smart-Pampanga in a shootout. So I told the team to step up on defense. They were also inspired to play before the home fans.” said Victoria.  

Smart Pampanga coach Allan Gregorio reinserted Chester Taylor, who dropped six points to put the Buddies within striking distance entering the final two minutes, 70-74. 

But the hosts would not be denied as the Taguig defense clamped down on the Buddies anew with an 11-3 windup.