Hurting Baguion powers Jewels

Froilan Baguion bucked an ankle injury and fired 10 of his 14 points in the stretch as Montaña Pawnshop stunned defending champion Rain or Shine, 60-58, yesterday to seize the solo lead in the PBL Unity Cup at the FEU Gym.

Baguion, who sprained his ankle in his team’s 68-60 win over the Magnolia Spinners Sunday, sprang back to life in time to power the Jewels to the pulsating victory, their fourth in as many games. He also had seven assists and one steal.

"I wasn’t expecting him to step up because he sprained an ankle in our last game," said Montaña coach Nel Parado in Filipino.

Montaña also shone in defense as it held the fancied 6-10 Samigue Eman to just one point after scoring 17 in his first two games. Eman, a standout of the Univ. of Mindanao, took just three attempts from the field and missed all of them

In the other game, Toyota Otis rallied from eight points down in regulation then hung tough in overtime play as it turned back Teletech, 72-69.

It was the Sparks’ third win in four outings as they caught up with the Painters at No. 2. The Titans fell took their third defeat against a win.

Jojo Tangkay, the 2006 Heroes Cup MVP, sizzled with 23 points but failed to deliver the goods when the Painters needed them most.

The Painters dominated the boards, 48-29, but turned the ball over 24 times as against the Jewels’ 11. — Joey Villar