GENERAL SANTOS CITY — PacMan-General Santos moved up to second place by keeping the Cagayan de Oro Rapids winless, 88-81, at the ML Kwarta Padala Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) First Conference Wednesday (March 15) at the cavernous Lagao gym.
Guard Apol Coronado came off the bench to score seven quick points in the first quarter and ended the game with aplomb by scattering 12 markers in the final canto to power the team of boxing idol Manny Pacquiao and coach Ramon Pido to its second win in three games.
The Rapids went on an 11-0 run led by Mark Benitez that cut PacMan’s 13-point edge after the first period to only two points, 25-27. Despite the onslaught, PacMan held on the lead at the halftime break, 41-35. The Rapids finally had their first and only taste of the lead, 44-43, early in the third period on a lay-up by Abe Galinato.
PacMan recovered and controlled the contest behind timely shots by Louie Medalla and Noel Sandoval. Galinato scored his final basket to threaten for the last time, 67-69. Veteran Jomer Rubi quickly answered with the last of his four triples and Coronado clustered four consecutive points to give PacMan cushion with 3:30 to play, 74-67.
By the final two minutes, the Rapids began to challenge PacMan from the free throw line. PacMan responded by connecting on 10 of their 14 attempts down the stretch to seal the win in the tournament backed by ML Kwarta Padala, Panasonic, Sulpicio Lines, Molten and Nature’s Spring Drinking Water.
Coronado finished with a total of 20 points to power PacMan while Medalla added 16. Rubi and Dondon Tadena both had 12 points. Jong Rebuya topped the Rapids with 19 while Gabriel Maloloy-on chipped in 17 followed by Robin Mendoza with 15.
A classic battle is expected today (March 17) when PacMan (2-1) plays host to undefeated Iligan City (3-0) still at the Lagao gym beginning at 5:30 pm. A PacMan win will result in a tie for the best record in the tournament. Iligan will try their best to sweep the first round behind the combined efforts of stalwarts Alex Bognot, Eric Araman, Marvin Tundag, Aries Gloria and Eduardo Pening, the hero of Iligan’s last win on the road against the Rapids, 100-99, last March 9 at the Xavier University gym.
How they scored
Pacman-Gensan 88– Coronado 19, Medalla 17, Rubi 12, Tadena 12, Sandoval 11, Farochilen 6, Madera 4, Locsin 3, Jabagat 3, Dennison 1, Cabanlit 0, Recustodio 0.
Cagayan de Oro 81– Rebuya 19, Maloloy-on 17, Mendoza 15, Apepe 8, Benitez 8, Galinato 6, Estolano 4, Casino 4, Getubig 0, Gelogo 0, Nunez 0, Sanchez 0.
Period Scores: 27-14, 41-35, 61-58, 88-81.
