Pharex used an endgame run to thwart Noosa Shoes, 90-75, and close in on the pacesetting Harbour Centre team in the PBL Lipovitan Amino Sports Cup at the Arena in San Juan City yesterday.
Emer Oreta fired 20 points while Francis Allera scattered 17, including 15 from behind the arc, as the Medics rolled to their third straight victory and fifth in six games overall to firm up their hold of second place behind the five-peat seeking Batang Pier, who are unbeaten in five outings.
“It was a struggle at the start but we stuck together and pulled it off in the end,” said Pharex coach Carlo Tan.
Oreta, Allera and former pro Ronnie Bughao fired three straight triples to spark the late blast, handing the Shoe Stars their third loss against two wins.
Dom Javier paced the Shoe Stars with 21 points while reigning NCAA MVP Kelvin dela Peña chipped in 13 but the two went scoreless in the homestretch.
Tan said they pulled it off despite a number of players and he himself under the weather.
Hapee Toothpaste made a big start and held off a San Mig Coffee fourth-quarter rally to check a two-game skid with a 76-68 win in the second game.
Fil-Am Gabe Norwood dished out a solid all-around game with 13 points, seven rebounds, six assists and four steals as the Complete Protectors scored their fourth win in six outings.
The Coffee Kings suffered their third loss against two triumphs.