MANILA, Philippines - Ver Roque took charge in the clutch as The Philippine STAR rallied from 12 points down to beat Philippine National Police, 86-79, and clinch the top seeding in the Final Four of the 2012 Cong. Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales Cup at the RTU gym in Mandaluyong recently.
Roque forced the issue and banged in the big baskets while challenging PNP’s big men on his way to the hoop as he came through with 20 points to power the STARmen to their seventh win in eight games at the close of their elims stint.
That gave The STAR, under coach Alfred Bartolome and team manager Mike Maneze, the top spot in the semis with Gerry’s Grill taking the No. 2 seat with a 6-2 mark for the twice-to-beat incentives.
Live Green and PNP dispute the third semis berth while Plainview and Nougat clash for the last seat on March 6.
Lester Reyes matched Roque’s output while Gio Coquilla and Dennis Rodriguez scored 15 and 13 points, respectively, to underscore the STARmen’s balanced offensive sock.
They actually trailed by 12 heading to the last three minutes of the contest as PNP imposed its will inside through ex-PBA standout Estong Ballesteros and former UE star Olan Omiping. But the STARmen regrouped and fought back with Roque taking over and Cris Corbin, Gerald Ortega and Art Dimas shackling Ballesteros and Omiping with a tough defensive stand.
Ballesteros came away with a game-high 21-point performance while Omiping added 20 points.
In the other match, Live Green defeated Plainview Custodial, 95-90, as Tam Mateo hit five triples to finish with 15 points. Freddie Raymundo made four triples and wound up with 20 points for Plainview.
The scores:
First Game
STAR 86 – Reyes 20, Roque 20, Coquilla 15, Rodriguez 13, Corbin 6, Ortega 4, Dimas 2, Geocada 2, Sanggalang 2, Tabang 2, Martinez 0, Reducto 0.
PNP 79 – Ballesteros 21, Omiping 20, Criste 15, Lata 10, Misola 7, Delos Santos 4, Decena 2.
Second Game
Live Green 95 – Amparo 20, Sanders 19, Mateo 15, Intalan 14, De Guia 14, Llorca 13.
Plainview 90 – Raymundo 20, Sta.Maria 14, Jorge 12, Agustin 9 Castaneda 8, Pinera 6, Avergonzado 4, Omega 2, Manito 2.