MANILA, Philippines – The Tigerscribes and San Mateo Spurs defeated separate rivals to set in motion their title bids in the 2014 PSA-PSC Pakitang Gilas Basketball League WilCab Cup Season 3 Monday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.
Led by the Business Mirror's Diego de la Paz, the Tigerscribes withstood the resilient comeback of Charlie's Dymons to hack out a 58-46 victory while the Spurs blew past the San Miguel Beer Drinkers, 67-56.
De la Paz scored 12 of his 20 points in the fourth quarter while grabbing 20 rebounds to lead the Tigerscribes past a Dymons team, which failed to score after tying the game at 46-all entering the homestretch.
JC Trinidad added 12 points, Philippine Daily Inquirer's Cedelf Tupas hit 11 points while Spin.ph editor Dodo Catacutan produced nine points and nine rebounds in the tournament presented by the Philippine Sportswriters Association and the Philippine Sports Commission and backed by PRC, Sonia Trading, Milo Best, ACCEL, Gatorade and Magnolia Purewater.
Manila Bulletin scribe Jonas Terrado led the Dymons with 13 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out. PBA photographer Nuki Sabio had nine points and 12 rebounds while point guard Nat dela Cruz chipped in nine markers.
In the other game, three players scored in double figures for the Spurs, who are out to regain the title after losing to the Dymons in the Season 2 finals two years ago.
Malaya reporter Jerome Lagunzad and Philstar.com's AJ Bolando topscored with 14 points apiece with the former adding six rebounds and three assists while The Manila Times' Josef Ramos made 12 points.
Rookie Christian Jacinto of the Manila Bulletin turned in 27 points and 15 rebounds, Spin.ph's Reuben Terrado delivered 14 points and five rebounds while the Daily Tribune's Julius Manicad had 10 points and 14 rebounds for San Miguel in a losing effort.
Earlier, four-time PBA Most Valuable Player and San Mig Super Coffee team manager Alvin Patrimonio graced the lively opening ceremonies highlighted by the parade of the participating teams.
The PSC will also participate as a guest team in the third season of the league composed mainly of members from the country's biggest sportswriting fraternity.