CEBU - Lola Carmen Chicharon rode on the endgame heroics of Noel Medalle and Jack Ylanan to pull off a 73-72 cliffhanger over Juggy & Neneng in the Labangon Youth Association (LAYA) 1st Richie Osmeña Cup the other day at the Labangon Sports Complex.
In the nightcap, the Binglens-Red mauled Trisha & Tracy, 89-72, thus, forging a three-way tie at second place among them and Lola Carmen with identical 2-1 win-loss records.
Binglens' win also left the Criminal Intelligence and Invesigation Bureau (CIIB) of Police Supt. George Ylanan as the only undefeated team in the tournament.
Victory was within reach for Juggy & Neneng as it enjoyed a 71-67 lead with only 21 seconds left in the game, but Medalle converted a three-point play and then Ylanan cooly sank his two free throws to seal Lola Carmen's spectacular escape.
Medalle and Jeffrey Uy each scored 15 points for Lola Carmen, even as three others finished in double figures.
It was Mokong Abella who paced Juggy & Neneng with 22 points. Jayvee Pasana added 15 markers as they suffered their second loss in three starts.
Dexter Dagatan, on the other hand, exploded with 41 points for Binglens, while Robert Villanueva chipped in 19 markers.
The Trisha & Tracy was led by the tandem of Sonny Nemeño and Jess Flores with 45 points combined.
The scores
First game
Lola Carmen (73) - Medalle 15, Uy 15, Papelero 13, Maambong 10, Sasan 10, Ylanan 8, Diarnasa 2
Juggy & Neneng (72) - Abella 22, Pasana 15, Inot 9, Sangara 8, Subingsubing 7, Navaja 7, Pañares 4
Second game
Binglens-Red (89) - Dagatan 41, Villanueva 19, Cañete 8, Abo 7, Baybay 7, Patalinghug 4, Diala 4
Trisha & Tracy (72) -Nemeño 24, Flores 21, Dayondon 7, Romanos 5, Cajigas 5, Zapanta 4, Magkilat 4, Boysello 2. – GGM (THE FREEMAN)