ADB: RP needs more rapid poverty reduction

Chico Lanete scattered 13 of his game-high 22 points in the third period as defending champion Harbour Centre trounced San Miguel-Magnolia, 96-67, to regain a share of the lead in the PBL Unity Cup yesterday at the Olivarez Sports Center.

The 6-foot Lanete was on target from start to finish, finishing with a superb 8-of-10 shooting from the field, including 4-of-5 from the three-point zone, to propel the Batang Pier to their ninth victory against two losses.

That enabled Harbour to tie idle Cebuana Lhuillier Pera Padala on top again even as the two teams, already assured of semis berths as early as Saturday, dispute the No. 1 spot at the end of the two-round elims tomorrow.

“I’m glad we were able to sustain our level of energy. We played great for 40 minutes,” said coach Jorge Gallent as they posted their largest winning margin in the season-ending tournament. “We hope we could keep this kind of game until the semis.”

Henkel-Sista, meantime, claimed a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinal round by trouncing Dazz’Sang Patak, 87-73, in the second game.

The Super Sealers finished the elims with a 6-6 record, while the Kitchen Specialist slipped to 3-8 in a tie with Magnolia.

Three other Harbour players scored in double figures with high-flying JC Intal tossing in 17 points. Intal highlighted his performance by scoring three treys and spectacular drives in the first quarter.

Ryan Arana and Jojo Duncil combined for 22 points, scoring the bulk of that output in the second quarter.

“We need to play this kind of game in the semis if we want to advance into the finals,” said team manager Erick Arejola. “We can’t relax at this time.”

The loss – its eighth against only three wins – put Magnolia’s quarterfinal bid in peril.