Four-peat champion Harbour Centre drew an explosive game from Jason Castro as it smashed the RP Youth team, 103-64, yesterday to remain unscathed after nine games in the PBL Lipovitan Amino Sports Cup at The Arena in San Juan City.
Castro, a former two-time MVP being eyed by the National Basketball League’s Singapore Slingers, poured in 15 of his 25 points in a huge third quarter attack to take the fight out of the Nationals.
Noosa Shoes carved out a come-from-behind 80-73 triumph over Pharex in the second game.
Dom Javier, who played college ball for Perpetual Help, sizzled with 24 points as the Shoe Stars overcame a nine-point third-period deficit to score their fifth win in 11 outings.
The Medics, paced by Jam Alfad with 13 points, fell from joint third to a three-way logjam at No. 4 with the Dioceldo Sy-owned quintet and Burger King Whoppers.
The win by the Batang Pier, however, didn’t satisfy their coach.
“We can’t play like this the rest of the tournament. We have to maintain our discipline,” said Harbour mentor Jorge Gallent.
Gallent was particularly upset with the way Harbour Centre was outscored by the 18-and-under team in the second period.
With Mark Lopez and Gabriel Banal combining for 16 points, the RP Youth outscored the four-time champion, 25-23, in the second quarter.
The RP Youth even outrebounded Harbour Centre, 22-20, in the first half.
But things turned around when Castro started to impose his will.
In the third game, Toyota Otis went to RJ Jazul and Chito Jaime in the stretch to end the four-game winning run of Hapee Toothpaste, 76-73.
Jazul and Jaime hit nine points each in the fourth to help the team notch its fifth of its last five games. Jaime led the Sparks with 17 points while Jazil and Patrick Cabahug fired 12 markers each.