ANGELES CITY, Philippines - The Smart-Pampanga Buddies roared to their second win in as many starts by snuffing the Toyota-Bacolod Turbos, 96-83, in the Smart Liga Pilipinas Conference III Pampanga leg at the Holy Angel University Gym Thursday.
The Buddies moved closer to booking a return trip to the leg finals after they lost to Forward Taguig in last week’s Taguig City leg finale. The Robert Uy-owned Turbos remained winless in two games.
A strong start by the Buddies threatened to blow the game wide open as they led at the half, 48-39. However, a spirited Turbos rally in the third canto anchored on ex-pro Rob Johnson who scored 10 of his game high 22 points in the quarter, gave the wards of coach Franco Atienza the advantage entering the final period, 68-67.
Earlier in the day, the Trace-Laguna Stallions of Atty. Erwin Genuino and coach Nomar Isla dealt Forward Taguig its first loss of the conference, 73-66.