CEBU, Philippines - The Enervon CESAFI Partner's Cup 2013 basketball tournament shifted to its semifinal stage and there's no stopping still the formidable Prime Asia Lending-UV Lancers from stomping on every rival that stand on their way.
Prime Asia picked up where they left off in the double round elimination, cruising through an easy 73-57 victory over the Cebu Landmasters-USC Warriors to extend their unbeaten streak to 11 games in a row yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.
Reigning CESAFI MVP Wowie Escocio cashed in 15 points and veteran playmaker John Abad added 11 points for Prime Asia, which was in complete command after Vincent Mendoza and Francis Arong powered the UV Lancers-manned squad to a sizzling 13-2 start.
The Cebu Landmasters staged courageous fightback to narrow the gap down to just two points, 13-15, but that proved to be their only bright moment as Prime Asia of coach Felix "Donbel" Belano, Jr. launched a devastating 23-4 counterattack to rip the game apart, 38-17, with less than two minutes left in the second quarter.
With their shots clicking at any angles, Prime Asia went on to mount its biggest lead at 23 points, 54-31, entering the last four-minute mark of the third quarter.
It was cruise control for Prime Asia from there onwards as the Juliam Macoy-mentored Cebu Landmasters couldn't get any closer than 14 points, 44-58, on back-to-back triples by Stephen Que heading into the final period.
Except for Escocio and Abad, no other Prime Asia cager submitted double figures, but their offensive wealth was evident with 11 players hitting the scoring chart to the delight of their team manager Samsam Gullas who watched his wards play in a tournament for the first time this year. Gullas ran unopposed as representative of Cebu's First District during the mid-term polls last week.
Que and Cameroonian recruit Ahmed Salihou scattered 16 points apiece for Cebu Landmasters. The missing link for the Carolinians was Charles Pepito, who was handcuffed to a paltry two points.
Prime Asia will face next the winner of the match between the Gaisano Capital South-UC Webmasters and San Marino Tuna/CIT-U Wildcats, which was still contested as of this writing last night.
The scores
Prime Asia (73) -Escocio 15, Abad 11, Arong 9, Cabañero 8, Akomo 8, Mendoza 7, Oktubre 4, Fajardo 4, Perolino 3, Santillan 2, Babia 2
Cebu Landmasters (57) - Que 16, Salihou 16, Rabat 9, Laude 6, Guardiario 3, Ypil 3, Magat 2, Pepito 2
Quarterscores:15-8;40-22;58-44;73-57 (FREEMAN)