Hoopers now 5-0 in PICPA hoopla

CEBU, Philippines - The mighty Hoopers cruised to their fifth straight victory after clawing the Wildcats, 66-63, in the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) 2009 basketball tournament at the Don Vicente Sotto Memorial Gym in Brgy. Punta Princesa, this city.

The Hoopers jumped off to a 22-14 start behind the tandem of Andre Tocao and Hermy Veltran, but the Wildcats rallied back with savvy to grab the driver’s seat at halftime, 36-34, courtesy of the offensive firepower of Sonny Dequina and Benedict Bandala.

The Hoopers though leaned on their rock-solid defense anchored on Yoli Meso and Jeremy Makinano to turn the tide of the match in their favor at the end of the third period, 54-51.

The Wildcats had their last taste of lead at 61-58 with two minutes left to play as Julis Makinano and Tocao delivered crucial baskets to bail the Hoopers out of danger.

Tocao paced the Hoopers with 24 points, while Lito Ortiz and Julius Makinano chipped in 10 markers apiece. Ryan Alejandre topped the Wildcats with 24 points.

In the other game, the Warriors skinned the Timberwolves, 82-67, to improve their win-loss record to 3-2 while dropping their victims to 2-3.

The scores

First game

Hoopers (66) - Tocao 24, Ortiz 10, J. Makinano 10, Veltran 8, Makinao 6, Meso 6, Roble 2

   Wildcats (63) - Alejandre 24, Dequina 16, Bandala 11, Dingal 10, Penas 2

 Second game

Warriors (82) - Seares 23, Vivares 20, Patatag 8, Deatriza 8, Ocupe 7, Santiago 6, Acedillo 6, Sevilla 4

    Timberwolves (67) - Barot 25, Entica 23, Catipay 7, Yap 5, Huyo-a 3, Magsalay 2, Ongayuren 2 (GGM)   (FREEMAN NEWS)