San Marino survives Lion Tiger

CEBU, Philippines - James Ferraren split his charities in the final 4.3 seconds of the contest, but it was more than enough to lift the San Marino Corned Tuna-USPF Panthers to a 74-72 victory over the Lion Tiger Katol/ USJ-R Jaguars in the 6th CESAFI Partner's Cup men's basketball tournament last night at the Cebu Coliseum.

San Marino maintained an 11-point lead in the entire third period, the last was at 60-49 as Lion Tiger staged a daring counter-attack to pull within just a hairline, 70-71, in the final 1:44 mark of the contest.

From there, San Marino could no longer pull away as Lion Tiger stayed in contention when Abualiz Sulaiman made two free throws to again threaten at 72-73 still only 46.7 seconds left to play.

San Marino, however, put up a porous defensive wall highlighted by three blocks and a crucial save that prevented Lion Tiger come completing its huge endgame comeback.

Art Camello had 16 points, while Ferraren and Fritz Dajalos connived for 18 points as San Marino improved its win-loss record to 3-5.

Sulaiman topscored for Lion Tiger with 22 points followed by Jason Olbedado with 13 markers.

The scores

San Marino (74) - Camello 16, Dajalos 9, E. Ferraren 9, Sedurifa 8, Diapera 6, J. Ferraren 6, Solano 6, Meca 4, Corcilles 4, Escanilla 4, Genobia 2

Lion Tiger (72) - Sulaiman 22, Olbedado 13, Tabaloc 9, Lajato 6, Perez 6, Villarosa 5, Pallatao 4, Abing 4, Capillar 2, Palileo 1 Halftime time: 40-29 (GGM)(FREEMAN)