Lions Katol, Landmasters start hot in Partner's Cup

CEBU, Philippines - The Lions Katol-USPF Panthers and Cebu Landmasters-USC Warriors got off to flying starts in the Enervon CESAFI Partner's Cup 2013 men's basketball tournament last Sunday at the Cebu Coliseum.

Lions Katol squandered a double-digit lead in the final period but recovered in time to escape with a 63-57 win over Raphael's Cafe/USJR Jaguars, while the Cebu Landmasters came from behind to frustrate San Marino Tuna/CIT-U Wildcats, 71-68, in the main match of a featured triple-header.

The Cebu Landmasters rode on the endgame dexterity of Fil-Chinese shooting guard Stephen Que, who tallied 10 straight points in the fourth period including a pair of booming triples and two close-range baskets that broke the backs of San Marino Tuna.

It was, however, Garrick Ayala's undergoal stab that pushed the Cebu Landmasters on top for good, 70-68, with only 25 seconds left to play.

After a botched offensive by San Marino, Que split his charities with 12 ticks remaining but it was more than enough to carry the Cebu Landmasters to a breath-taking victory.

San Marino actually had a chance to forge an overtime, but Floyd Taboada missed a desperate 3-point attempt at the final buzzer.

Cebu Landmasters, thus, completed the list of opening day winners led by Prime Asia Lending-UV Green Lancers, who kick-started their title defense with a masterful 80-57 demolition of the Gaisano Capital South-UC Webmasters.

Prime Asia and Lions Katol gun for their second straight win but one of them will surely fall as they clash head-on at 4 pm today. In the second game at 5:45 pm, the Cebu Landmasters hopes to earn a share of the lead when it takes on Gaisano Capital South.   

The scores

First game

Lions Katol (63) -  Nudalo 13, Sedurifa 8, Vertucio 8, Camello 6, Sollano 5, Escanilla 4, Estrelles 4, Abesia 3, Mangaron 2, Borces 2, Ceniza 2

 Raphael's Cafe (57) - R. Senining 020, Regalado 9, Galvez 8, Diaz 5, Rubillo 4, M. Parker 4, C. Senining 2, Lajato 2, Rossel 2, Dela Peña 2, Cinco 1

Second game

Cebu Landmasters (71) - Ayala 15, Que 13, Magat 9, Guardario 7,  Ortega 5, Romaguera 3, Laude 3,  D. Adlawan 3, Tenebroso 2, Adlawan 2, Rabat 2, Pepito 2

 San Marino Tuna (68) - Dimco 16, Taboada 11, Menguito 10, Dela Cerna 8, Pono 4, Booc 4, Taghoy 3, Tabalin 3, Eboña 2, Graf 2, Limalima 2 (FREEMAN)