CEBU, Philippines - The Heat slammed the PICPA Hoopers, 88-78, at the start of the 2001 Cebu United Bankers Association (CUBA) Summer Basketball League at the Our Lady of Sacred Heart Parish gym along Escario Street, this city.
Richard Allera cashed in 19 points, while Iam Aparri and Robert Rafson Chua banged in 17 markers apiece for the Heat, which stoke the early offensive fire leading by as much as 13 points in the first half.
The PICPA Hoopers charged back with savvy to wrest the driver's seat, 57-56, but that was the best they could muster as CUBA quickly made the necessary adjusments to regain control of the match, 66-61, for good.
Earlier, the Suns gamely overhauled an early 15-23 deficit to fend off the Bank of the Philippine Island (BPI), 86-79. Raymond Jimenez topped the Suns with a game-high 25 points.
The tournament follows a single round robin format with the top two sluggins it out with the lower-ranked squads in the crossover semifinals. The winners will then slug it out for the championship in a winner-take-all affair.
The scores
First game
Suns (86) - Jimenez 25, Dominguez 16, JK Minoza 15, Bartolaba 11, Osorio 7, Gabales 6, J. Minoza 5, Olalo 2
BPI (79) - Saliz 23, Dumalao 13, Briones 11, Mabanto 10, Ramirez 8, Ong 6, Sumalo 4, Castellano 2, Po 2
Quarterscores:15-23;40-40l;62-69;86-79
Second game
Heat (88) - Allera 19, Chua 17, Aparri 17, Solermo 12, Navarro 8, Solon 6, Yamyamin 4, Macaling 2, Teves 2, Ho 1
PICPA Hoopers (78) - Talaroc 15, Tocao 13, Ortiz 12, Alejandre 10, Torres 9, Guebb 6, Bonsucan 6, Manulat 3, Balucan 2
Quarterscores:19-12; 45-34;66-61;88-78 – EBV (FREEMAN)