Indeed the GenSan PacMan, like it’s team owner, packs a deadly punch.
The team of boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao knocked out the tournament’s early favorite, M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Jewelers, 86-80, last night at the Cebu Coliseum to start its campaign on a bright note in the Mindanao-Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) pre-season tournament 1st Gov. Gwen Garcia Cup.
Bacolod City’s West Negros College, on the other hand, overcome a rush of 3-pointers from Manila-based Bacchus Energy Drink to win, 81-73, in the opening game.
Despite being formed in only two months, PacMan got the better of a usually cohesive Jewelers, one of the winningest ballclubs in the country.
The PacMen, under coach Ramon Pido, were led by ex-pro and ex-Jeweler Jomer Rubi, scrawny shooter Roderick Ramos and towering bangers Arrian Daja and Roberto Farrochilin.
One-on-one game
“We just found a good opportunity to beat M. Lhuillier,” said Ramos.
M. Lhuillier coach Raul “Yayoy” Alcoseba said his team failed to follow the game plan.
“It’s unlikely for this team to play an individual game – but they did,” said Alcoseba.
PacMan started hot with Daja scoring six in an 11-2 blitz that put the General Santos City-based squad ahead, 25-14, before the first quarter closed at 27-18.
The Jewelers’ new recruit, Jayford Rodriguez, scored seven in an 11-0 run that put M. Lhuillier ahead, 29-27, at the 6:03 mark of the second. But the Jewelers failed to pull away as PacMan offset its woeful field-goal shooting with precise free-throw shooting to reclaim the lead.
GenSan only had three field goals in the quarter, but was 13-of-14 on free-throw shooting to lead, 48-43, at the half.
PacMan erected a 64-53 lead with 4:09 left in the third but the Jewelers countered with a 9-0 blast, this time Danny Aying leading the charge.
M. Lhuillier reclaimed the lead, 76-73, after James Laygo nailed a triple at the 4:12 mark of the fourth, but an unsportsmanlike foul on Marlon Piodo and the tough defense employed by PacMan spoiled the Jewelers’ comeback in the homestretch.
Opening game
After Rodriguez scored on his patented step-back jumper that put M. Lhuillier up, 80-77, with 3:14 left, M. Lhuillier suddenly went scoreless down the stretch.
In the opening match, the Mustangs established a 23-14 lead on their way to a 42-36 advantage at halftime.
Cebuano Britt Reroma and Magnum Membrere waxed hot from beyond the arc to give Bacchus a 58-54 lead going into the final frame.
However, the Manila-based squad failed to sustain the momentum as WNC rallied to nail the win.
WNC (81) – Abaring 16, Vergara 14, Olarte 14, Deocadiz 10, Baclao 9, Tizon 6, Jangayo 6, Esperito 4, Merced 2. Bacchus (73) – Reroma 21, Membrere 20, Coyukang 9, Hubalde 7, Aquino 7, Cuevas 3, Pile 2, Hardin 2, Reyes 2. Quarters: 23-14; 42-36; 54-58; 81-73.
PacMan (86) – Ramos 19, Farrochilin 18, Daja 12, Neri 9, Cabanlit 8, Rubi 7, Locsisn 5, Medalla 3, Dennison 3, Sandoval 2.
M. Lhuillier (80) – Rodriguez 17, Laygo 14, Aying 11, Oca?ada 7, Llanto 6, Ca?oneo 6, Enriquez 5, Piodo 4, Sayon 4, Bat-og 4, Lumantas 2. Quarters: 27-18; 48-43; 66-62; 86-80.
