Ani-FCA trips Mandaue, stays in TOP title race

MANILA, Philippines - Ani-FCA repulsed Mandaue, 77-70, to remain in the title hunt in the final leg of the Tournament of the Philippines at the Cong. Jun Duenas gym in Signal Village, Taguig City yesterday.

The Cultivators led by as many as 17 points in the first half and kept a 15-point spread in the third. But they sputtered in the payoff period, enabling the Landmasters to threaten at 70-74 with barely two minutes left in the contest.

The Cultivators, however, held on to clinch the win that made up for their disappointing 85-92 overtime loss to Treston-Laguna the other day.

Former MLQU Stallion Jofer Custodio scored 13 points while ex-pro Magnum Membrere added 11 points for the Cultivators, who need to beat host Hobe Bihon-Taguig today to remain in the finals race.

Ani-FCA raced to a commanding 25-8 lead at the end of the first period but the Landmasters, behind JR Gerilla, Magdadaro and JP Alcaraz, cut the lead to 35-39 at the half.

But the Cultivators pulled away again in the third as Custodio, Membrere and former JRU Heavy Bomber James Sena and Earn Saguindel took over and gave the team another 59-44 bulge with 2:40 left in the third.

VJ Serios had nine points and 12 rebounds for Ani-FCA.