CEBU, Philippines — The Pañeros turned to the hot hands of Police Lieutenant Colonel Gerard Ace Pelare as they overcame the Bad Boys, 75-72, in the Integrated Bar of the Philippines (IBP) Cebu Basketball League at the Capitol Parish Gym along Escario Street in Cebu City.
Pelare, the police chief of Talisay City, fired 20 points and passed away six assists to help the Pañeros hit their second straight win.
The Pañeros actually suffered a huge collapse after leading by as much as 20 points in third period.
Behind the efforts of Edwin Estorgio and brothers Richard and Edward Bauzon, the Bad Boys came threateningly close within three points in the closing minutes of the game but that was the best they could muster as the Pañeros courageously held on to a thrilling victory.
On the other hand, Tope Ang sank five 3-pointers of his 24 points laced with five assists as the Gilas Defenders barged into the win column with a 97-72 rout of the Aniceta Vipers.
Al Lagahit and Catmon No.1 councilor Rowell Juban contributed 18 markers apiece in the wire-to-wire victory of Gilas Defenders.
Argao councilor Atan Villegas led the Vipers with 29 points spiked with six triples while Rene Abcede had 14 points and eight rebounds in a losing effort.
In the other result, Oliver Moeller came up with a solid double-double show of 22 points and 10 rebounds as the Spartans downed the Idols 72-67.
Frank Dinsay, Chief of Staff of Cebu Governor Gwen Garcia, erupted for 26 points while Edu Ibañez, legal officer of Mandaue City Mayor Jonas Coites, and Cabataña each scored 10 for the 1-1 Idols.
The scores
First game
Pañeros (75) – Pelare 20, Kong 13, Luib 8, Llanos 7, Sojor 5, Santiago 5, Busi 5, Manching 2, Balorio 2, Retuya 2, Molde 2, Manubag 2, Dinopol 2
Bad Boys (72) – Estorgio 14, R. Bauzon 12, Santos 11, E. Bauzon 10, Jongoy 5, Sesante 4, Asis 2, Bragat 2, Esmeralda 2, Montealegre 2, Rosal 2, Riveral 2, Ortiz 2, Tomaodos 2
Second game
Gilas Defenders (97) – Ang 24, Lagahit 18, Juban 18, Ligutan 12, B. Velez 9, Apolinario 7, Remedio 3, Solis 2, Ocmeja 2, Abayon 2
Aniceta Vipers (72) – Villegas 29, Abcede 14. Cabahug 12, Alcordo 4, Awing 4, Amores 3, Belarmino 2, Codera 2, Manuales 2
Third game
Spartans (72) – Moeller 22, Garcia 12, Regis 8, Medalle 8, Divinagracia 7, Patiño 5, Entera 4, Dellera 4, Ocupe 2
Idol (67) – Dinsay 26, Cabataña 10, Ibañez 10, F. Pepito 8, Belarmino 5, Jabil 4, Mirallles2, Salubre 2. — EBV