Slashers take gloss off Gems, grab lead

The RCPI Negros Slashers went to Jose Francisco in the last two quarters as they held off the Cebuana Lhuillier Gems, 96-91, yesterday to seize the solo lead in the MBA First Conference at the Cebu City Coliseum.

Francisco, part of the team’s pre-season acquisitions, torched the hoops with 25 points, 18 of them from the behind the three-point arc, in powering the Slashers to their fourth win in five games.

It was also the sweet-shooting Francisco’s three foul shots in the dying seconds that defused Cebuana Lhuillier’s last-ditch effort to steal the game.

Bruce Dacia led all scorers with 29 points but just could not deliver the baskets that mattered most as Cebuana Lhuillier absorbed its first loss following a three-game winning streak.

Earlier, the Casino Cagayan de Oro Amigos barged into the win column after they clobbered the Professional Davao Eagles, 106-94.

Bankrolled by Casino Ethyl Alcohol, the Amigos also avenged their 82-93 defeat to the Eagles in the season opener last April 6 also in Cebu.

Casino Cagayan de Oro thus improved its slate to 1-4 while handing TPG Davao its third setback against the same number of triumphs.

After trailing in most part of the first half, the Slashers stepped on the gas as Francisco scorched the net with five triples in the third period that gave them a 65-62 lead and the momentum going into the final canto. - Joey Villar