BJFC, Sports5 register contrasting wins in GMABL

MANILA, Philippines -- MANILA, Philippines -- BJFC essayed an epic come-from-behind win to shock fancied PPL, 67-65, last Sunday in the GMA Basketball League Season 5 at the UP-Ayala Techno Hub Gym.

BJFC leaned on the heroics of the comebacking Lance Serrano and Antonio Quiazon in the endgame to pull off the stunning reversal.

Down by six heading into the final two minutes, Serrano stepped up for BJFC as his back-to-back baskets sparked an 8-0 windup punctuated by Quiazon's free throws.

After missing two games, Serrano made a triumphant return with a monster performance to help BJFC climb to second spot in Group B with their third win in fiva games. He finished with a game-high 30 points, three rebounds, four assists and three steals while Quiazon and Johan Santos added 15 and 14 points, respectively.

Mico Ong paced PPL, which tasted its first defeat in three games, with 22 points but had a crucial turnover in the endgame that cost them the game.

In the other game, Sports5 continued to roll as it registered its second straight lopsided victory, this time, against RMHS '94, 75-60.

Behind the hot hands of PCBL anchor Jutt Sulit, Head of Video Editors Oliver Embradora and the masterful quarterbacking of PBA Radyo and PCBL anchor Chiqui Reyes, Sports5 zoomed to several double digit leads that went as high as 29.

Without Reyes in the second half, RMHS made one final push as they were able to bring the deficit down to 13.  But PBA and Kwentong Gilas writer-producer Alder Almo banked in a triple to stop the rally as Sports5 was never seriously threatened the rest of the way.

Reyes was not able to finish the game as he rushed to Pasig City for the opening of the PCBL.  Sports5 also bucked the absence of United Football League analyst Cedelf Tupas and PBA anchor Magoo Marjon due to work and injury, respectively.

Sulit carried the load for Sports5 and won his matchup against RMHS top gun Norman Ulit. The former delivered his best game in the tournament finishing with 23 points and 17 rebounds along with three assists, two steals and one shot block to pace Sports5.

Ulit, on the other hand, led RMHS '94'slosing effort with 21 points, 10 boards, two assists, two steals and two blocks.

Sulit got plenty of help from PBA and Kwentong Gilas segment producer Merv Villar and Embradora who chipped  in 15 and 12 points, respectively.

Sports5 moved up the standings with 3-1 win-loss mark, half game ahead of Unang Hirit (3-2), which lost via default to Pitbulls (2-2) later in the day. RMHS '94 remained winless in four games to stay at the cellar.

Meanwhile, iJuander kept the top spot in Group B with victory by default against Manila Kings (formerly Alisto) at 4-1. The Kings tumbled to their third loss in four games.