Unitec keeps solo lead in UABC cage tourney

CEBU, Philippines - Unitec overcame a spirited endgame resistance by Durabend Pipes to eke out a scrappy 79-76 win in the resumption of the United Architects Basketball Club (UABC) Corporate Cup Season 6 last Sunday at the Cebu Eastern College (CEC) gym.

Criz Matunog exploded with 24 points and burly center Antonio “Jay-R” Decatoria, Jr. chipped in 17 markers as Unitec firmed up its grip of the solo lead with a 6-2 win-loss record.

Elmer Laguna and Jonas Panerio connived for 33 points but their efforts went for naught as Durabend fell to 4-4 in a tie with Puyat Steel at third place.

Drawing big games from Neil Belga, Ryan Rizarri and Byron Lacbayo, Puyat Steel notched its fourth victory at the expense of Cebu Home and Builders, 102-92. Belga finished with a season-best 31 points, while Rizarri and Lacbayo banged in 21 points each.

Oliver Maspiñas finished with 21 points and Wilfredo Lastimosa added 14 for Cebu Home and Builders, which suffered its fifth loss in eight games.

In the other match of a featured triple-header, Matimco made the most from the absence of Boysen's star player Michael Cinco to beat the Paint Masters, 65-59.

Alexander Vidal charted 20 points and Ferrer Emboy, Jr. added 19 as Matimco tallied its only second win in eight starts. Despite the loss, Boysen stayed at the second spot with a 5-3 slate.

The scores

First game

Matimco (65) – Vidal 20, Emboy 19, Castillo 10, Dabon 4, Lumayag 4, Suganob 4, Donasco 2, Valleser 2

Boysen (59) - Anino 29, Parba 16, Alberto 6, Partosa 6, Vios 2

Quarterscores: 14-16;32-35;50-51;65-59

Second game

Puyat Steel (102) – Belga 31, Lacbayo 21, Rizarri 21, Adlawan 17, Silao 12

Cebu Home and Builders (92) – Maspinas 21, Lastimosa 14, Villar 12, Villarin 12, Sesbreño 8, Sanchez 5, Abellana 4, Basalo 4, Llanos 4, Pedaria 4, Donasco 2, Osmeña 2.

Quarterscores: 24-21;57-31;81-67;102-92

Third game

Unitec (79) – Matunog 24, Decatoria 17, Go 14, Baladya 6, Tan O. 6, Tan A. 6, Tiro 6

Durabend (76) – Laguna 17, Panerio 16, Suico 12, Radomes 11, Lim 8, Choachuy 4, Geonzon 4, Sasan 3, Choachuy C. 1

Quarterscores: 20-12;38-29;59-50;79-76—EBV (FREEMAN)