Lagundi gains second finals slot

MANILA, Philippines - Ascof Lagundi held off MP Pacman GenSan, 94-90, in overtime to clinch the second finals berth in the fifth leg of the Tournament of the Philippines (TOP) at the Emilio Aguinaldo College gym in Manila yesterday.

Rob Labagala hit a jumper to break an 87-all count heading into the last 60 seconds in the extra period Then he intercepted a weak pass by the Warriors’ Louie Medalla to seal the victory.

Ascof and Taguig dispute today the leg crown of the event jointly organized by the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) and Liga Pilipinas.

Labagala had 15 points, eight rebounds, five assists and four assists, the last setting up Bam Gamalinda for the game-tying basket in regulation.

“He’s (Labagala) been steady for us. He’s giving us a big lift on both ends of the floor,” said Ascof coach Carlo Tan.

Gamalinda led the Cough Busters with 23 points while Raymund Aguilar added 15 points, eight rebounds and five assists for the victory.

Jonathan Parreno fired a game-high 28 points on five treys while John Gonzaga finished with 11 points for GenSan, which battled back from an 11-point third quarter deficit but squandered a 67-60 lead with 6:44 left in regulation.

In the first game, Cobra Energy Drink foiled Taguig’s sweep bid with an 83-74 win.

Peejay Barua took over in the final quarter, scoring 13 points as the Ironmen thwarted Taguig’s fightback to finally snap a six-game losing streak dating back to the start of the Laguna leg two weeks ago.