CEBU, Philippines - The Prime Asia Lending-UV Green Lancers opened their title defense with a masterful 80-57 demolition of Gaisano Capital South-UC Webmasters in the season-opener of the Enervon CESAFI Partner's Cup 2013 yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.
Prime Asia actually trailed by four points at halftime, 31-35, but detonated a devastating 29-14 bomb in the third period to blow Gaisano capital into pieces.
So dominant Prime Asia was that it still won by a mile despite UV’s 6-foot-7 Nigerian recruit Steve Cedric Akomo sat on the bench in the entire fourth quarter. He finished with nine points.
Gaisano Capital enjoyed fair contribution from the likes of Gerald Ampoon, Kyle Misa and Alexander Asis, but their efforts paled in comparison to the offensive juggernauts of Prime Asia.
Angelo Babia Jr. topscored for Prime Asia with 13 points, while Alfred Codilla and Francisco Arong chipped in 10 markers each. Reigning CESAFI MVP Wowie Escocio was held off to only eight points but it did not matter as Prime Asia had a well-balanced offensive.
Ampoon was the lone double-digit scorer for Gaisano Capital with 11 points.
The scores
Prime Asia (80) - Babia 13, Codilla 10, Arong 10, Akomo 9, Perolino 9, Escocio 8, Oktubre 6, Nzeunssue 4, Mendoza 3, Fajardo 3, Cabanero 2, Abad 2, Soliva 1
Gaisano Capital South (57) - Ampoon 11, Misa 9, Asis 7, Tamparong 6, Mangyao 5, Auditor 4, Smith 4, Miranda 4, Yburan 4, Cabrera 3, Sigasig 2
Halftime: 31-35. (FREEMAN)