Cobra trims Pacman 5, claims first final berth

MANILA, Philippines - Cobra Energy Drink foiled Manny Pacquiao and his MP Pacman GenSan, 82-79, to clinch the first finals berth in the second leg of the Tournament of the Philippines at the Lagao gym in Gen. Santos City Thursday.

While fans came in droves to watch Pacquiao, Elmer Espiritu upstaged the boxing icon as he came through with clutch baskets in the last quarter to anchor the Ironmen’s victory.

It was the second straight win for the Ironmen, who drew 14 points from Espiritu and 19 points from Pari Llagas as they dealt Pacquiao’s team its first loss in the tournament jointly organized by Philippine Basketball League (PBL) and Liga Pilipinas.

Misamis Oriental, meantime, bounced back from a stinging setback to Cobra the other day by downing Treston-Laguna, 86-79.

GenSan and Misamis Oriental are disputing the second finals berth at press time.

For a while, Cobra appeared headed for a breeze when they took a 62-51 lead. But the hosts rallied to close within, 79-81, on a triple by Erian Daja with 1:44 left.

Llagas, however, took over and forced the issue underneath for the insurance basket.

Llagas scored 10 points in the final quarter and finished with seven rebounds while Espiritu added eight rebounds, five shot blocks and made four assists.

After his 2-of-12 shooting in the team’s 73-69 win over Laguna, Pacquiao finished with 1-of-7 this time. But his lone basket, a triple, sent the crowd, including wife Jinky in a frenzy.