CEBU, Philippines - The Yoli Meso-skippered Hoopers squad roared past theTimberwolves, 80-75, for their fourth straight win in as many starts in the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) basketball tournament at the Don Vicente Sotto Memorial Gym in Brgy. Punta Princesa, this city.
The Hoopers squandered an early 25-14 lead but still dominated the first half behind the consistent scoring of Andre Tocao and Julius Makinano.
The Timberwolves slowly crept back at the start of the third period, trimming the deficit to just seven points, 56-63, before eventually grabbing the driver’s seat, 71-70, at the final 3:34 mark of the contest, thanks to endgame explosiion of Oliver Ching and Ronald Apawan.
The Timberwolves, however, failed to sustain their momentum and wilted under the renewed challenge by the Hoopes in the windup.
Tocao paced the Hoopers with 25 points folowed by Lito Ortiz with 22.
In the other game, the Warriors defeated the Aboitiz Power, 47-34.
Derek Vivares and Arnel Patatag knocked in 12 points apiece for the Warriors.
The scores
First game
Hoopers (80) - Tocao 25, Ortiz 22, Makinano 18, Meso 11, Veltran 4
Timberwolves (75) - Ching 28, Apawan 18, Entica 16, Catipay 6, Huyoa 4, Tanupan 3
Second game
Warriors (47) - Vivares 12, Patatag 12, Delica 6, Destriza 5, Avenido 4, Ocupe 3, Acadillo 3, Lim 2
Aboitiz (34) - Enguerra 12, Lim 10, Alegrado 6, Dayap 2, Carbajose 2, De los Santos 2 (GGM) (FREEMAN NEWS)