CEBU, Philippines - The Prime Asia Lending-UV Lancers slammed San Marino Tuna/CIT-U Wildcats, 83-67, to claim the first finals berth in the Enervon CESAFI Partner's Cup basketball tournament last Thursday night at the Cebu Coliseum.
Prime Asia led all the way and was never threatened except at one instance when Allan Dimco of San Marino hit a triple to close the gap to nine points, 51-60, with 11 seconds left in the third quarter.
From thereon, Prime Asia showed the stuff that champions are made and with Cameroonian recruit Steve Cedrick Akomo leading the charge in the fourth quarter, all what San Marino could do was to answer some buckets in order not to be buried largely.
Akomo had two highlight slams during the fourth period, including one that gave Prime Asia an 81-62 lead entering the final two-minute zone of the contest.
Prime Asia waxed hot both at the paint and from the field as big man Wowie Escocio and pointguard John Michael Abad led their offense with 17 points apiece. Akomo added 16 points, while Vincent Mendoza chipped in 14 points as they stretched their unbeaten streak to 12 games.
Dimco was in his usual deadly form, leading San Marino with 23 points. Joshua de la Cerna added 17 points in a losing effort.
The scores
Prime Asia (83) - Abad 17, Escocio 17, Akomo 16, Mendoza 14, Perolino 6, Codilla 4, Arong 3, Babia 2, Cabañero 2, Octobre 2
San Marino (67) - Dimco 23, Dela Cerna 17, Taboada 7, Menguito 7, Graf 5, Infante 3, Tabalin 2, Eboña 2, Taghoy 1 (FREEMAN)