Amigos end tale of woes

Cagayan de Oro, drawing strength from Peter Naron, ended its miserable run of losses as it trampled Pampanga, 98-77, yesterday in the MBA FedEx Crossover Cup at the Mindanao Polytechnic State University Gym.

Naron fired 11 of his game-high 31 points in a blistering third quarter run that saw the Amigos pull away for the win, their third overall in 11 outings, ending a six-game losing slump dating back from last month where they blew a big lead and lost to the defending titlist Manila Metrostars.

Hardly showing the effects of a 108-130 rout they got from the Laguna Lakers last Wednesday, the Amigos roared to a sizzling 22-10 first quarter lead as Naron ran rings around his defenders.

The Dragons, however, kept the game close in the second quarter but lost their poise at resumption as the Amigos, with Jojo Martin and Norman Gonzales joining Naron in offense, took a commanding 66-52 lead going into the final quarter.

Paul Alvarez and Estong Ballesteros tried to bring the Dragons back into the game with their outside snipings but the Amigos scuttled their bid with a sleek running game to deal Pampanga its third loss against five wins.

Over in Batangas, the Blades continued to flourish under youthful coach Nash Racela as they humbled the fancied Negros Slashers, 93-91, in the other MBA game at De la Salle gym in Lipa City.

The Blades blew a five-point lead down the stretch but recovered in time to fashion out the thrilling victory, their fifth in nine games, while dealing the skidding Slashers their fifth loss against three victories.