Cebu Landmasters fight to a draw with Ginebra

CEBU, Philippines - A few hours before the game, Mandaue-Cebu Landmasters team owner Joe Soberano joked to M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala coach Raul "Yayoy" D. Alcoseba that since the Jewelers were outlasted by Ginebra by five points (76-71) the other night at the Cebu Coliseum, he would be happy enough if his wards would lose by just four points to the Gin Kings.

To Soberano's surprise, the Cebu Landmasters of coach Jun Tan and team manager Glen Bercede defended their fort against the visiting PBA squad with stonewall defense and steaming offense all game-long to forge a 79-all standoff with the crowd-favorite Gin Kings in their exhibition match last night at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.

"It was a bit surprised with the result and for me, it already an achievement for the team fighting to a draw against a tough PBA opposition," said a jubilant Soberano.

The Landmasters actually started the game with a 25-20 bang, but the Gin Kings showed the stuff they are made off to forged a 41-deadlock at halftime.

A see-saw battle ensued, with the Landmasters forcing several deadlocks and lead changes in an air-tight battle that glued the large throng of spectators to their seats until the final buzzer.

The Gin Kings were staring at victory with a 79-77 edge on a pair of free throws by Eric Menk with only 25 seconds left to play, but Landmasters' playmaker Boyet Bautista caught the fancy of the crowd as he quickly dribbled his way to the left wing and suddenly popped a medium-range jumper that gently swished through the net, knotting the count at 79-all with seven ticks remaining.

Ginebra coach Jong Uichico then called for a timeout, but their hopes of delivering the knockout punch to the Landmasters disappeared in the mist as Mark Caguioa's hurried 3-pointer bounced off the rim as the gameclock expired.

Alex Cainglet, whose crucial triple pumped up life to the Mandaue-based squad when Ginebra threatened to pull away underneath the final two-minute zone of the contest, topscored for Cebu Landmasters with 14 points, while Bautista and John Paul Alcaraz chipped in 11 markers.

Caguioa provided the offensive spark for Ginebra with 16 points followed by Ronald Tubid with 15.

The scores

Cebu Landmasters (79) - Cainglet 14, Bautista 11, Alcaraz 11, Bucao 8, Berami 6, Solis 6, Mercado 6, Aquino 5, Llanto 4, Cenita 4, Latonio 2, Gabas 2

Ginebra (79) - Caguiao 16, Tubid 15, Baguio 13, Mamaril 7, Menk 8, Villanueva 8, Alvarez 5, Bugia 5, Kramer 4, White 2, Wilson 1

Quarterscores:25-20, 41-41, 63-62, 79-79 — EBV   .   (FREEMAN NEWS)