Prime Asia wins opener, Cebu Landmasters takes 3rd place in Partner’s Cup

CEBU, Philippines - 14-0 and still counting.

The UV Lancers-manned Prime Asia Lending kept its unbeaten record intact with a 91-83 conquest of San Marino Tuna/CIT-U Wildcats - their fourth over the same rivals this season - to take a 1-0 upstart in the Enervon CESAFI Partner's Cup best-of-three finals witnessed by a sizeable crowd last night at the Cebu Coliseum.

Earlier, Nico Magat erupted with 23 points as the Cebu Landmasters-USC Warriors used a furious endgame assault to repulse the Gaisano Capital South-UC Webmasters, 79-76, and claim the third place honors.

Crafty playmaker John  Abad and reliable forward Chris Perolino cashed in 19 points each, reigning CESAFI MVP Wowie Escocio scored 11 and Cameroonian recruit Steve Cedrick Akomo added 10 markers for Prime Asia, which could practically wrap up its second straight title with another win in Game 2 set on Sunday at 4 pm.

San Marino was in fighting mood early on, with Allan Dimco breaking the ice with just 28 minutes gone by in the match. They hold on to the lead at 12-11 as Prime Asia closed the first period with a 9-2 blitz to gain an eight-point headway, 20-13.

After closing the first half at 40-33, Prime Asia greeted the third quarter with a 10-0 bang to rip the game wide open, 50-33. Their biggest lead though stood at 19 points, 73-54, on a buzzer-beating undergoal stab by Arvie Cabañero to end the period.

San Marino staged a courageous fightback in the closing minutes of the contest, but could whittle the deficit down to only six points, 83-89, as time was not on their side with 20 seconds left to play.

The 6-foot-7 Akomo then electrified the spectators with a thunderous slam to settle the final tally.

Prime Asia's offensive was balanced enough to buffer an equally-solid scoring attack by San Marino, which drew huge numbers from their big four led by Floyd Tabada with 25 points. The streak-shooting Allan Dimco finished 21 points, while Joshua de la Cerna and Vincent Menguito netted 18 markers apiece in a gallant effort albeit for a losing cause.

In the first game, the Cebu Landmasters rattled Gaisano Capital with their porous trapping defense in the final half to scrape through a three-point victory. They were down by nine points, 67-58, with still eight minutes to go, but retaliated with a blistering 17-4 run to grab the upperhand, 75-71, for good entering the final two-minute zone of the contest.

Gaisano Capital actually had several chances to change the complexion of the game in its favor, but six missed free throws when it mattered most spelled their doom. They threatened for the last time at 74-75, but Dave Guardiario completed a 3-point play to give the Cebu Landmasters a 78-74 breather with 33 ticks left before the final buzzer. (FREEMAN)