Ascof holds off Cobra 5

MANILA, Philippines - Ascof Lagundi hung tough in the clutch as it held off Cobra Energy Drink to carve out a 104-100 win at the start of the third leg of the Tournament of the Philippines (TOP) at the Trace College gym in Los Baños, Laguna Tuesday.

Jonathan Uyloan scored 10 of his 14 points in the final period as Ascof Lagundi thwarted Cobra’s fightback to open its campaign in the tournament jointly organized by the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) and Liga ng Pilipinas on a winning note.

Ascof Lagundi nearly blew a 19-point lead as the Ironmen came charging back to close to within one point. But Uyloan made clutch baskets to preserve the lead and the win.

Host Treston Laguna, meanwhile, spoiled Mandaue’s debut as it romped off with an emphatic 90-62 rout over Mandaue-Cebu.

Robert Sans exploded for 24 points on an impressive 10-of-14 shooting, including two triples, as he powered the Stallions to a rousing victory.

Scoring mostly on transition, the Stallions made a 54 percent shooting from the field where they converted 35 of 65 attempts. In the first half, they made 17 of 21 tries that helped them post a commanding 48-28 bulge.