CIPU nips Global Rollway in Customs hoopla

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu Inter Port Users (CIPU) Warships banked on nerves of steel to hack out a 91-90 win over Global Rollway in the closest and most thrilling game of the Cebu Customs Invitational Tournament 2013 at the Benedicto College Gym.

Down 69-60 at the start of the fourth quarter, the Warships went to the pair of Ramil Aniñon and Francis Palero to slowly but surely claw their way back to steal the game away.

After Palero gave CIPU the lead at 77-76, Global replied to take an 82-79 lead with two minutes left. It was a see-saw affair from then on with both teams trading the lead until the end of the game which saw an amazing 14 lead changes in the fourth quarter alone.

After CIPU regained the lead at 85-84, Global replied with a Glenn Urbina triple to take an 87-85 lead with 1:07 left. Down 89-87, Palermo replied with a triple of his own to give CIPU a 90-89 lead with 27 seconds remaining.         Alain Tarona split his charities to tie the game at 90-all with 12 seconds left. Aniñon then iced the game at 91-90 with a free throw with 7 seconds left. Palermo led CIPU with17 points while Primitivo Mondin added 16.

In the other game, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) banked on the return of Engel Sievert to get back at the Bureau of Customs (BOC), 84-75.

BIR broke open a close game in the fourth quarter, turning a 64-63 lead into a 76-68 bubble to kick off the payoff period. The Portmen would get as close as five points, all on the shoulders of Kern Sesante at 80-75, but couldn’t turn the tide.

Sievert, who scored only five points, proved to be a perfect decoy feeding his teammates from the high post and providing anchor of a presence on defense.

MJDL, on the other hand, streaked to its fifth straight win as it toppled CCBI, 124-53.

MJDL now leads Group A with a 5-0 record, followed by BIR & BOC (3-2), ALIC (2-3) and CCBI (0-6). Philhealth and CIPU share the Group B lead at 4-2, followed by Solarlink/USC ’86 (2-3), IBP/Lawyers for PJ (1-3) and Global Rollway (0-5). (FREEMAN)