Prime Asia guns for 2-0 lead

CEBU, Philippines - The Prime Asia-UV Lancers shoot for a commanding 2-0 lead when they take on the Kia Motors/CIT-U Wildcats in Game 2 of their best-of-five championship series in the 6th CESAFI Partner's Cup men's basketball tournament at the Cebu Coliseum.Prime Asia needed only to strike hard in the third period before pulling off a 76-66 victory in the opener last Tuesday night that was marred by a wrestling match between Andrew Avillanoza and Lloyd Sanchez in the final 28 seconds of the contest.

Prime Asia will be playing without Avillanoza, but the UV Lancers-backed squad can still enjoy points at the post coming from Wowie Escocio. Also, Chris Perolino could be converted as a small forward to help clog up the painted area.

Spunky guards in the likes of Phil Mercader, John Abad and Eman Calo are also giving huge advantage for Prime Asia that Kia Motors likely couldn't match up as they only have Floyd Taboada to rely on.

Kia Motors would be lucky if Axel Rabaya and Franklyn Batiquin could both deliver the goods tonight. It was Jeffrey Taghoy who showed up in Game 1 instead of Vincent Menguito, Allan Dimco and Gestoni Baclaan, who should have carried the scoring load for Kia Motors.

Unless Kia Motors coach Gilbert Demape have another gameplan in mind, there is a big possibility that they will tie the series tonight.

Meanwhile, the Lion Tiger/USJ-R Jaguars could lift the third place trophy with a repeat performance over the San Marino Corned Tuna/USPF Panthers.(GGM)(FREEMAN)