Spurs punch finals ticket; Jacinto dominant for Pioneers in PGBL cagefest

MANILA, Philippines – Unbeaten Globalport Spurs booked the first Finals ticket while Best Center Pioneers solidified hold of the second spot after grinding out crucial victories over their respective rivals in the second round of the 4th PGBL Willie Caballes Cup on Monday night at the historic Rizal Memorial Sports Complex.

The Spurs scored a repeat win over the defending champions TigerScribes, 66-59, to hike their mark at 4-0, assuring themselves of one of the two Finals seats . The Pioneers, for their part, bested the Dymons, 70-64, to improve to 3-1 heading into the home stretch of the tournament backed by the Philippine Basketball Association and the Philippine Sports Commission.

Aldo Aviñante was once again instrumental in the Spurs' win, tallying a game-high 24 points on top of five rebounds, five assists and two steals.

Backstopping him were Budoy Lagunzad, who had six markers, 18 boards and four steals, and rookie Paolo Poblador, who added 10 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Cedelf Tupas racked up 19 points and six assists, Diego Dela Paz put up a double-double effort of 14 markers and 10 boards, while rookie Paul Lintag had 13 points in a losing cause for the TigerScribes, who slid to 1-3.

In the second game, the undermanned Pioneers eked out a gutsy victory over the Dymons to boost their own Finals bid with a 3-1 slate behind monstrous numbers by Christian Jacinto.

Playing like a man on a mission, Jacinto registered a video game-like statline of 30 points, 28 rebounds, seven assists two steals and three blocks to spearhead Best Center's third straight win. Also providing key contributions were Reuben Terrado with 17 markers, 12 boards and three blocks and rookie Jeremiah Sevilla with a solid 14-point, six rebound and four-assist outing.

Meanwhile, despite great showing from Paul Ryan Tan, Jan Ballesteros and Jonas Terrado, the Dymons fell short anew en route to receiving their fourth setbacks in as many games.

Tan had 20 points and five assists; Ballesteros poured 14 markers, five rebounds, four assists and four steals; while Terrado put up 14 rebounds, four points and three blocks to lead Dymons' scattered attack.