Pharma stuns Welcoat in OT

Pharmaquick prized rookie Leo Avenido scored key baskets in overtime period, helping the Drug Specialists score a come-from-behind 85-81 win over the Welcoat Paintmasters yesterday in the PBL Chairman’s Cup at the Makati Coliseum.

Avenido, the season’s top draft pick, poured in eight of his 15 points in the extra period, including a triple and a three-point play that proved to be crucial against Welcoat.

Completing a big reversal of its multi-titled rival, Pharmaquick improved its win-loss record to 2-2.

Pharmaquick’s new recruits played big in the game with Bruce Dacia and Chico Lanete carrying the fight for the team early on, finishing with a combined output of 39 points.

Dacia and Lanete also provided the initial spark in their rally which the Paintmasters couldn’t stop, and the team went on to suffer its third loss against a lone win.

It was a heart-rending defeat for Welcoat which dominated Pharmaquick three-fourth of the way, leading by as many as 21 points.

Welcoat took a 40-28 lead at halftime before sitting on a 60-45 cushion after three quarters of play.

Dacia and Lanete, a product of Lyceum, combined for 23 points in a decisive run the Drug Specialists used to erase a 37-58 deficit and force the extra period.

After exchanging baskets in the first two minutes in overtime, Renren Ritualo drained a triple to give Welcoat a 78-75 spread but Avenido struck back with his own triple to knot the count anew.

After that, Dacia connected on a jumper from the top of the key to give Pharmaquick the upperhand but Ritualo sank another trey, his fifth in the game, for an 81-80 Welcoat advantage.

Then came Avenido’s biggest exploit in the night, coming up with a three-point play to give Pharmaquick the lead for good.

Pharmaquick coach Bernard Fabiosa made special mention of Avenido, Dacia and Lanete although he also lauded his other players for their contributions.

"Nag-step up iyung tatlo pero I believed our collective effort on defense was the key in our victory," said Fabiosa.

Ritualo scored 22 points to pace the Paintmasters who also drew big outputs from Eugene Tan (13) and former pro Brixter Encarnacion.

Ana Freezers scored its second straight win under coach and team manager Rudy Mendoza as it trounced Giv Beauty Soap, 81-71, in the second game.

Four Freezer Makers, led by Ronald Tubid with 22 points, scored in double figures that carried the team to their third win in four outings.

Ana dealt Giv its first defeat in three starts.

"Kulang kami sa tao pero ang susi dito ay nagtulungan kami at lahat ng players nag-trabaho," said Mendoza.

Ana totally outclassed Giv, taking a 19-10 lead after the first quarter, a 39-28 advantage at the break and a 67-44 spread going into the last quarter.