CEBU, Philippines - Defending champion Canillas Customs Brokers (CCB) escaped with a 62-60 win over the Gonzales Brokers at the start of the 2nd Cebu International Port Users (CIPU) basketball tournament at the Cogon-Ramos gym.
Lawyer Kennth Kern Sesante, former star guard of the UC Webmasters, saved the day for the Canillas Brokers with his tie-breaking layup in the final 22 seconds of the contest.
It was indeed a great escape for CCB as it trailed by 18 points, 10-18, at the end of the third period. Alex Pangan paced the Gonzales Brokers with 13 points.
In the opener, the FYA Selection also went through some scary moments before getting rid of the Ynah Brokers, 76-72, while Petracorta Brokers mauled Alin Brokers, 74-56, in the main match of the featured triple-header.
Janus Abellana topped FYA's scoring chart with 19 points, while Tata Laborte and playing coach Noel Medalle chipped in 15 and 14 points, respectively.
Takloy Moral, on the other hand, showed the way for Petracorta with 15 points, even as defensive gem Reden Villaronza donated 13 markers.
The scores
First game
FYA (76) - Abellana 18, T. Laborte 15, N. Medalle 14, N. Laborte 11, Marata 4, Apuya 3, Cal 3, Trinidad 3, Gornez 3
Ynah (72) - Allerite 13, Garcia 6, Villarin 6, Niones 6, Manulat 6, Guardario 6, Amistoso 6, Oporto 5, Carmen 4, Peras 4
Second game
Canillas (62) - Sesante 15, Sigue 12, Largosa 8, Manlosa 7, Villa 6, Bensi 6, Diano 2, Belarmino 2, Generalao 2, Neri 2
Gonzales (60) - Almodiel 15, Pangan 13, Gonzales 8, Piape 6, Mompar 6, Castro 5, Pante 3, Llamedo 2, Arroz 2
Third game
Petracorta (74) - Moral 15, Villaronza 13, Pepito 8, Cabaltera 8, Sagario 6, Sagarino 6, Celedonio 4, Cena 2, Petracorta 2
Alin (56) - Villomo 19, Laurel 8, Barral 8, Lleve 5, Desucatan 5, Alin 4, Lobitana 3, Egpit 2, I. Alin 2 (GGM)(FREEMAN)