Montana scorches Casino, takes lead

CEBU CITY – Montana Pawnshop gained solo leadership via a 67-62 win over Casino Rubbing Alcohol but it ended a sad day for the PBL after Regent-Shark and Blu All-Purpose succumbed to separate rivals yesterday in the PBL-CBF Dual Meet II at the University of San Carlos Gym here.

Jenkins Mesina topped with 16 points while Sunday Salvacion and Jon Dan Salvador added 12 and 11 points, respectively, as the Jewelers romped to their second straight win.

But CBF teams came armed to the teeth, playing with intensity throughout to complete their revenge on the second day of the tournament to the delight of the big Cebuano crowd.

Alfie Grijaldo played the big hero as he drilled in an undergoal stab with just a tick left to lift GMC-Tortillos past Regent-Shark via a 68-66 squeaker.

Skygo Riders, on the other hand, held Blu All-Purpose to just five points in the last eight minutes for a big 77-70 comeback.

The Cheeseballs appeared headed for the win after Ismael Junio and Rysal Castro connived for a 6-0 run that erected a 66-61 upperhand, with 1:14 remaining.

But the Tortillos displayed undying spirit in the battle of Snacks Masters.

Ex-pro Aldrich Reyes fired a triple to move GMC-Tortillos close at 64-66 in the last 58 seconds while Dennis Cabigkis went two-for-two from the freethrow line off Gerald Ortega to even the count at 66, 34 seconds to go.

The Tortillos’ defense proved intimidating that Junio’s three-point shot went out of range in the dying seconds. Ex-PBL star Reuben de la Rosa quickly grabbed the rebound while Reyes, seeing Grijaldo just at the perfect spot, dished out the crucial assist to complete the conquest.

The Detergent Kings were way ahead, 65-55, barely two minutes gone in the final period but Skygo Riders showed unforgiving defense that held them to just a basket and a trey by Marlon Legaspi down the stretch.

Alano Caputolan ignited the big comeback while Jercules Tangkay fired two triples and a jumper as the Riders reversed the tide with a 75-70 lead with 16 seconds to go.

A turnover by Aries Dimaunahan ended all hopes for Blu as David Cabrera wrapped up the victory with two charities in the final four seconds to deal the Detergent Kings their second straight setback.