Lee Pipes overpowers Montana, stays alive

Newcomer Lee Pipes-Ateneo showed better poise and maturity than seasoned rival Montana Pawnshop in the final half yesterday as it scored a 65-49 win that kept its flickering hopes for the 2004 PBL Unity Cup quarterfinals at the Letran Gym.

After a slow and tentative start, the Eagles worked their way behind the efforts of Paolo Bugia, Nino Gelig and the team’s shock troopers to control the game in the final two quarters as the Katipunan-based squad closed out its elimination-round campaign with a 4-6 win-loss record.

Avenging their stinging 65-68 loss to the Jewels last April 13, the Eagles gained an inside chance of earning one of two twice-to-beat privileges in the next round.

As things stand now, the Eagles are already assured of a playoff for the fifth and sixth spots as the Jewels dropped to 4-6.

Letran-Toyota also improved to 4-6 as it whipped Blustar, 64-60, in the other game.

"It was a big win for us. The boys were really motivated to win this match," said Lee Pipes-Ateneo coach Sandy Arespacochaga. "I just hope we could do better in our next game."

Larry Fonacier and Paolo Bugia scored 12 and 11 points, respectively, although it was Arespachochaga’s second unit, including Chris Quimpo, Mico Roldan and CJ del Rosario who did most of the damage while Fonacier was struggling offensively.

The Jewels were held below the century mark after scoring only eight points in the final quarter.

The Eagles took a 32-26 lead at halftime before doubling their lead at the end of a dragging third quarter. contest capped by a three-pointer by Quimpo at the buzzer.

For the first time in the tourney, nobody from the Montana squad scored in double figures as the topscoring duo of Jondan Salvador and Al Magpayo were limited to just eight and nine points, respectively.