Welcoat on verge of epic conquest

Welcoat, a team noted for its high-octane offense, showed it can play tough, rugged defense, too.

Giving the Montaña Jewels a dose of their own medicine, the Paint Masters limited the Jewels to just five fourth quarter points as they fashioned out a come-from-behind 65-62 victory to move in the threshold of their first crown in three years in the PBL Unity Cup at the Astrodome.

Fil-Am Anthony Washingon struggled offensively all night but shone in defense as Welcoat held Montaña to just one basket and three fouls shots in the final period that gave the 2002 Challenge Cup titlist a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-five title series.

"Although Jay (Washington) was really struggling, I told him to continue to play hard in defense. He did that," said Welcoat coach Caloy Garcia, who won his first Game 2 in four straight finals appearances.

The Paintmasters gun for a sweep — and their 11th title overall — in Game 3 on Tuesday, also at the Astrodome.

But aside from Washington, who finished with 18 points and 16 rebounds, it was rookie Paolo Orbeta who sparked the telling fourth quarter Welcoat run.

Orbeta, coming in for Eugene Tan and Ryan Dy who both groped for form, unleashed an eight-point splurge in the period to key a big 18-0 binge that turned a 43-59 deficit to a 61-59 lead.

Reed Juntilla, named the Instant Impact player of the conference, drilled in three foul shots after he was fouled by Jay-R Reyes from behind the arc to give the lead back to Montaña, 62-61, with 2.32 minutes to go.

But it proved to be the Jewels’ last taste of the lead as Leo Najorda, the hero in Welcoat’s 82-80 win in Game 1, tipped in a Washington miss that gave them the upperhand for good.

Washington sealed the victory with two free throws as Montaña blew several attempts at the three-point area that could have sent the game into overtime.

"Hopefully makuha na namin ulit ito," said Welcoat co-owner Terry Que.

Montaña was led by Eric dela Cuesta’s 14 points but the Bukidnon native was held scoreless in the last period.

Compounding the Jewels’ woes was Alex Compton’s failure to show his true worth as the prolific guard played with a sprained ankle he sustained in team practice Friday.