Source: Manila Bulletin
by Jonas Terrado
Pharex B-Complex repulsed the determined comebacks of Excelroof to hack out a 74-68, and nail the No. 1 spot in the Final Four of the 2010 PBL PG Flex-Erase Placenta Cup Tuesday at The Arena in San Juan.
The Fighting Maroons wasted a 19-point lead in the second quarter but came through with another fiery run in the fourth to finally pull away for good.
But more than that, the win – their fifth straight and sixth overall in seven starts – enabled the Fighting Maroons to secure a twice-to-beat advantage in the semis against the No. 4 team.
The Excelroof 25ers closed out their elimination campaign with a 5-2 card.
Despite being considered as the inferior squad between the two teams fielded by Pascual Laboratories entering the season-opening conference, Pharex surpassed the expectations of many to become the league’s best team after the elims.
But coach Aboy Castro is aiming for the bigger prize.
“No. 1 kami sa semis but we want to be No. 1 two weeks from now. Bale wala itong No. 1 sa semis kung hindi ka naman dadalhin sa championship," said Castro, who hasn’t reached this point since he started coaching University of the Philippines in the UAAP two years ago.
Ascof Lagundi, meantime, kept its semis bid alive with a 78-65 win over Ani-FCA in the second game.
The Natural Cough Busters finished their elimination round assignment with a 4-3 record and will have to pray that both Cossack Blue and Cobra Energy Drink lose tomorrow to forge a three-way tie for third-to-fifth spots. If that happens, Ascof and Cossack will enter the semis.
However, the squad of coach Carlo Tan will miss the semis if Cobra wins and Cossack loses due to the win-over-the other rule. The Spirits defeated Ascof Lagundi, 88-87, during their elimination round encounter.
The Cultivators lost all of their seven games, becoming the first team since Nenaco-San Beda during the 2005 Unity Cup to end a tournament without a victory.
The scores:
First Game
PHAREX 74 — Co 14, Lopez 12, Arao 11, Adolfo 10, Manuel 8, David 6, Braganza 5, Reyes E. 4, Tecson 4, Maniego 0, Reyes M. 0, Hipolito 0, Astorga 0.
EXCELROOF 68 — Raymundo 17, Aquino 16, Celada 14, Sangalang 8, Agustin 4, Bagatsing 2, Mendoza 2, Abueva 2, Taylor 2, Bulawan 2, Pascual 0, Delgado 0, Suguitan 0.
Quarters: 14-4, 29-24, 49-49, 74-68.
Second Game
ASCOFLAGUNDI 78 — Canlas 22, Gamalinda 15, Uyloan 9, Aguilar 8, Labagala 7, Gerilla 6, Mazo 3, Co 3, Bauzon 3, Leynes 2, Bustos 0, Lanete 0, Asoro 0.
ANI-FCA 65 — Ong 10, Custodio 10, Sena 10, Cagoco 10, Gelasque 8, Pascual J. 8, Acosta 3, Flores 2, Sevilla 2, Pascual N. Lee 0.
Quarters: 29-8, 42-33, 62-48, 78-65.
Games Wednesday (Ynares Sports Arena)
2 p.m. — Fern-C vs Cobra Energy Drink
4 p.m. — AddMix vs Cossack Blue
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