Blu turns back La Salle-Osaka

Blu Sun Power blew hot and cold against La Salle-Osaka Iridology but hacked out a 72-64 win in the end to move up to third place in the PBL Challenge Cup at the Makati Coliseum last night.

Ace gunner Ernesto Billiones was held to only seven points but rookie Marlon Legaspi, Eric dela Cuesta and Arnold Calo more than filled up the slack, leading the Detergent Kings to their fourth win in seven outings.

"Although our victory was far from impressive, I’m happy that the boys worked hard to win this one on my birthday," said Blu coach Nat Canson, who turned a year older yesterday.

Alvin Castro, a member of the La Salle squad which topped this year’s UAAP cage event, sizzled with 19 of his game-high 22 points in the second half but couldn’t deliver in the clutch as the Iridologists suffered their fifth setback against two wins.

Ahead at 37-27 at the break, Blu, which stunned sister team Shark Energy Drink, 61-57, Saturday, fell behind at 42-44 as it lowered down its guard in the third quarter.

But the Detergent Kings got their act together again in the fourth quarter, riding on a 21-5 run to regain control in the fourth quarter. — Joey Villar