Wizards fail to cast spell on Insurers

Far Eastern Insurance operated on a solid interior defense to stun erstwhile unbeaten Magnolia Ice Cream, 65-60, yesterday and notch its second straight victory in the PBL Heroes Cup at the JCSGO gym in Cubao.

Boyet Guerrero scored 11 points including two triples down the stretch, as the Insurers seized control in the second period and hung tough to achieve where five other teams had failed to accomplish.

"This is definitely a big win for us. Knowing the caliber of Magnolia, being the champion team, it’s really a big morale booster beating them," said Far Eastern Insurance coach Bong dela Cruz in Filipino."

Far Eastern improved to 2-4, tying Harbour Centre and Toyota Otis-Letran for sixth to eighth places, respectively.

The loss was the first in six outings for the Wizards, who nevertheless remained on top despite the stunning loss.

Earlier, Granny Goose Tortillos rode on a big fourth quarter splurge to turn back Rain or Shine, 77-71, and grab solo second in the season-ending tournament.

Far Eastern led by as many as 11 points, 54-43, as Dondon Villamin made a three-pointer and lay-up early in the final quarter.

But Magnolia closed the gap at 54-58 as JR Rizada led an 11-4 run with 5:10 to play.

Then Guerrero scored at the right corner as the shot clock was winding down, and after Magnolia Fil-Am Kelly Williams scored on a jumper, Guerrero nailed his third triple of the game on the very same spot with 1:39 to go that gave the Insurers a safe 64-56 advantage.

The Wizards got to within 60-64 when Arwind Santos buried a three-pointer with 55.1 seconds left. Mel Latoreno missed a jumper at the other end, but the Wizards’ hope of catching up with the Insurers cutting down the lead was dashed after Santos muffed another attempt from three-point range.