Ken Bono came up with a double-double game with 14 points and 13 rebounds while Eric dela Cuesta and Froilan Baguion added 12 and 10 points, respectively, to lead the team to victory.
"We started our preparations late because of the bad things that happened to the team during the league break. We’re happy we won our first game despite of everything," said Montaña interim coach Nel Parado.
The problem cropped up when the team’s former coach Robert Sison, who steered the franchise to its first and only title two years ago, gave up their rights on 6-foot-10 slotman Samigue Eman last December apparently without informing the Montaña management.
Alex Compton, playing his last conference in the league, was slowed down by hurting knees but saved his best for last as he drained a fade away jumper that broke a 59-all tie and gave the Jewels the lead for good.
"Ken (Bono) stepped up big in this game and so were Froilan (Baguion) and Eric (Dela Cuesta)," said Parado. "But it was Alex’s decision-making and leadership that really spelled the difference."
Parado and his team spoiled the coaching debut of Teletech’s Jerry Codiñera.
"It was a tough game that was decided in the final few seconds, but we’re not ashamed with the way we played," said Codiñera, now into coaching after 16 years of playing career in the pros.
Sison later steered Granny Goose to victory, a major upset over Heroes Cup champion Magnolia Ice Cream, 64-55, to end the Tortillos‚ three-game slide to the Spinners.
Defense played a crucial role in the win as Granny Goose put cuffs on the duo of Kelly Williams and Arwind Santos, who were held to a just combined score of 22 points.