Giv halts three-game skid

Ernesto Billiones provided the spark and Edwin Bacani the finishing touch as Giv Beauty Soap repulsed Montana Pawnshop, 71-63, yesterday to end a three-game slump in the PBL Chairman’s Cup at the Makati Coliseum.

Billiones nailed two three-pointers going into the final two minutes to give the Soap Masters a 64-53 lead. Montana, however, clawed back into the contest with Jacques Gottenbos scoring six points in an 8-0 run for a 61-64 count, only 50 seconds left.

Bacani then doused cold water on the Montana uprising, completing a three-point play off Francis Zamora after receiving a long outlet pass from the comebacking Joseph Gumatay. Bacani topscored for his team with 19 points while Billiones chipped in 13.

Enrico Villanueva played his most impressive game this season as he steered Ateneo-Pioneer to a 77-75 come-from-behind squeaker over archrival Osaka Iridology in the second game. — Joey Villar