Dajalos lifts Rose Aquarius past Ave Maria

CEBU, Philippines - Fritz Dajalos sank a perimeter jumper in the final 19 seconds of the contest to lift Rose Aquarius Merchandising to a 68-67 cliffhanger over Ave Maria Sanctuary Park and stay in contention for the semifinal race in the 5th CESAFI Partners' Cup last Saturday at the Cebu Coliseum.

Earlier, league front-runner Gaisano Capital eluded what could have been a humiliating upset from the cellar-dwelling Winner Beef Loaf after eking out a precarious 62-59 triumph.

Down by nine points at halftime, 36-45, Rose Aquarius made a good run in the third canto to wrest the driver's seat, 54-52.

Ave Maria quickly recovered to regain the lead and even enjoyed a six-point advantage, 62-56, with still over six minutes left to play.

All of a sudden, Rose Aquarius responded with a 6-0 run to tie the count at 62-all, with 3:06 remaining.

Ave Maria once again took a four-point edge a basket by Jason Olbedado, 67-63, but Joseph Sedurifa later drained a booming triple to pull Rose Aquarius within just a hairline, 66-67, with 53 seconds to go.

In the return play, Ave Maria's reliable shooter committed a turnover while trying to make a behind-the-back dribble. Rose Aquarius pointguard Randy Avila wisely wasted some time before dishing off the ball to an open Dajalos, who then drilled in the game-clinching basket.

Dajalos netted 17 points as Rose Aquarius raced to its third consecutive victory. James Ferraren added 12 markers as they are now tied with their victims with identical 4-6 win-loss records.

Ave Maria's Renato Abing had 15 points followed by Midget dela Rama with 12. Olbedado and Capillar each scored 11 in a losing effort.

The scores

First game

Gaisano Capital (62) - Fajardo 17, Pogoy 12, Batua 11, Bercede 9, Mohammad 3, Aranas 2, Labolabo 2, Miranda 2

Winner Beef Loaf (59) - Curso 16, A. Nazareno 8, Dimco 6, Casto 6, Batiquin 5, Booc 4, Felisario 4, Taboada 4, D. Nazareno 2, Infante 2, Sanchez 2

Second game

Rose Aquarius (68) - Dajalos 17, J. Ferraren 12, Sedurifa 7, E. Ferraren 6, araño 5, Meca 4, Cabahug 4, Sollano 4, Avila 3, Nudalo 3, Linao 2, Genobia 1

Ave Maria (67) - Abing 15, Dela Rama 12, Olbedado 11, Capillar 11, C. Parker 4, Genodiala 3, Tabaloc 3, Nudalo 3, Suliman 2, Palileo 1, M. Parker 1, Cinco 1. – THE FREEMAN