Prime Asia nails 2nd win in Enervon Partner's Cup

CEBU, Philippines - The Prime Asia Lending Corp. saw their big lead shrinking in the third quarter but thanks to a more formidable line-up there was no cause to worry as they survived a scare against the gritty and relentless Lion-Tiger Katol and scored an 88-75 decision in yesterday's Enervon CESAFI Partner's Cup 2013 basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum.

With Lion-Tiger absorbing their first loss in two games, it would be Cebu Landmasters' turn to tie with Prime Asia for an early 2-0 lead as they are playing against the Gaisano Capital South as of press time at 6:30 pm yesterday.

Prime Asia was still in their usual deadly form the way they demolished Gaisano last Sunday as they built what would have been an almost insurmountable 29-point lead, 52-23 late in the second period courtesy of Rhaffy Oktubre's three-pointer.

Showing their ability to comeback they were able to do so during the CESAFI regular season, Lion Tiger changed the complexion of the game in the third period as they came up torching hot bringing down the big lead to just a very manageable nine-point deficit, 54-63 on a basket by veteran Joseph Sedurifa.   

After a couple of miscues that would have trimmed the deficit further in the third, Lion Tiger failed to keep the fire burning and slowly whittled in the fourth as Prime Asia then restored a rather comfortable lead.

Guys like Sedurifa, Jomar Sollano, Jeric Ceniza, Matt Batucan and Art Camello were having a concerted efforts to try Lion Tiger rise above water only they could not match Prime Asia's taller roster despite they sparingly outsmarted the latter by their pesky defense.

John Michael Abad who made three triples in the first period, led the Prime Asia's juggernauts with 14 markers, Wowie Escocio had 11 points  even as Alfred Codilla and Vincent  Mendoza added 10 points apiece for the solo leader who was already leading by 21 points at the intermisison, 56-35.

Sedurifa, a graduating shooting guard, led the 1-1 Lion Tiger with 10 points but he lacked the support of other teammates although most of them scored but as low as eight points. (FREEMAN)

The scores:

Prime Asia (88) -  Abad 14, Escocio 11, Codilla 10, Mendoza 10, Marquez 9, Arong 8, Akomo 7, Oktubre 7, Babia 6, Cabanero 5, Nzenssue 4, Santillan 4, Perolino 2

Lion Tiger (75) -  Sedurifa 10, Nudalo 8, Ceniza 7, Batucan 7, Camello 7, Escanilla 6, Sollano 5, Cando 5, Abecia 4, Borces 4, Cavalida 4, Virtucio 3, Delalamon 3, Sastrilles 2. Halftime: 56-35