Excelroof holds off Fern-C, shares lead

MANILA, Philippines - Calvin Abueva and Jimbo Aquino delivered the baskets that mattered most as Excelroof outlasted a tough Fern-C side, 87-73, in overtime to gain a share of the lead with Pharex-B and Cossack in the PG Flex Erase Placenta Cup at The Arena in San Juan yesterday.

Aquino shattered the 83-all count then Abueva came away with a pair of splits in the last 17 seconds while the 25ers held their rivals scoreless to pound out the win, their fourth in five games. (Related story on A-25)

“It was a scary win but we will take it,” said Excelroof coach Ato Agustin. “It’s a good thing that Calvin stepped up when we needed him most.”

The 6-foot-2 Abueva actually did everything on the court all game, providing picks and screens while towering over the Fern-C defenders with his tremendous leaping ability.

The late-game heroics of Abueva and Aquino also negated another 30-point explosion of John Wilson.

It marked the third time in five games that Wilson churned out a 30-point output for Fern-C, which faced elimination after absorbing their fourth loss against a lone win.

Pamboy Raymundo led the Excelroof 25ers with 24 points but was held scoreless in the extra period although Chester Taylor stepped up and combined with Aquino and Abueva in overtime.

The 6-foot-5 Taylor finished with 12 points, including a triple to start off the extra period.

Aquino was held only to a basket in the first three quarters but found his touch in the fourth where he scored eight points, including back-to-back baskets that gave them a 69-66 lead.

But the Ferntastics countered behind Ray Maconocido, who came through with a triple to send the game into overtime.

In the second game, Ascof Lagundi turned back Cobra Energy Drink, 74-71, to stay in the hunt for a semis berth with 2-3 card while stalling the Ironmen’s own semis bid.

Rob Labagala, a former stalwart of University of the East, scored 15 points for the Cough Busters who led from start to finish.

Cobra slid to 2-3.