Jewels share lead; Titans post first win

Al Magpayo rediscovered his form and fired 22 points to power Montaña Pawnshop to a 68-60 win over fancied Magnolia Ice Cream and into a share of the lead with Rain or Shine in the PBL Unity Cup at the Olivares Gym in Paranaque.

Magpayo, drafted in the PBA but never really got to play, scattered nine of his season-high output in the fourth quarter that sealed the Jewels their third straight win as they joined the Elasto Painters on top of the leaderboard.

"Big game," said Montaña coach Nel Parado, referring to Magpayo’s performance. "He really played like the Al Magpayo we all know."

Rookies Larry Rodriguez and JR Attablanco also came up with a pair of heads-up games for Montana.

Rodriguez, a lanky 6-foot-4 top rookie draft pick from Philippine Maritime Institute, shot 13 points, including six in a pivotal third quarter run when Montaña thwarted Magnolia’s repeated rallies..

Earlier, TeleTech rode on an explosive fourth quarter run to turn back Granny Goose, 78-69, yesterday and snap its two-game losing skid.

Responding to the challenge of coach Jerry Codiñera, the Titans came through with a lightning-quick attack in the final four minutes of play and completed their surge from deficits of as many as 15 points in the third quarter for the victory.

Codiñera admitted later that he did not expect to get his first win this early. — Joey Villar