Dubai- Shifty forward Richel Hey Falcon led all scorers with 38 points in regulation and added six more in extra time, as the MMXII-United Cebuano’s eked out an emphatic win 87-82 over Fiesta Pinoy in the PEBC/Cebuana Lhuillier UAE Cup at the Al Shabab Club last April 5.
Former PBA Manila stalwart Allan Yu and PBA-Dubai two-time MVP Kiko Delos Reyes scored 25 and 16 points respectively, to provide the early scoring binge for Fiesta Pinoy as they kept MMXII at bay. Art Canlas scored on an undergoal stab as they padded their biggest lead (59-44) barely a minute left in the third period.
Falcon ignited a 7-2 run including a buzzer-beating three-pointer to cut the deficit 51-61 at the end of 3rd quarter.
In the 4th quarter, sensing the vacuum left by Delos Reyes inside the shaded lane with his fifth foul, Falcon continued unabated driving to the hoop collecting 10 points while Minerva and Reveche combined for five in a 17-8 onslaught that brought them breathing down their opponents’ neck, 68-69 with 3:21 remaining.
Canlas, who has still dexterity and finesse left under the basket, finally broke their spell with a reversed lay up for 71-68 but failed to increase further their lead as he muffed both charity shots off the foul by Reveche with 1:31 left in the last period.
Afain, Falcon retaliated with another jumper for 70-71 and in the ensuing play, he drew a duty foul from Canlas as he (Falcon) headed for a solo lay up. With two charity shots to make, the change of winning the game in the regulation period lay heavily on his shoulder. He converted the first for the tying basket 71-71 all, but missed the second shot that sent the game into five minutes extra time.
MMXII/ United Cebuanos, who trailed in all previous quarters finally had their taste of lead, 75-73 with Falcon burning the hoop with back-to-back hits. But Dagasdas scored on a fast break for 75-75. Falcon and Allan Yu exchanged baskets for 77-77 all with 2:51 remaining.
Apil and Dalumpines combined for a breakaway 8-2 run for 85-79 and then Erwin Villegas delivered the coup de grace that left the gasping veterans to bite the Falcon and company’s trail of dust.
Quarterscores: MMXII/ Fiesta Pinoy Restaurant – 17-22, 33-39, 51-61, 71-71, OT 87-82
In the other games, Jeff Roque, who tallied a game-high 35 points and eight rebounds, propelled Siemens to a lopsided win (92-76) over Indus Blades.
Roque and Alex Callueng ignited an early breakaway 27-7 lead and never looked back.
Versatile and high-flying Khalifa banged in 29 points including four triples and five assists as Metro Manila Bar/ Gulf Craft trounced Aqua VMobile/ CEC in a lopsided 91-75 win.
Quarterscores: CEC/ Metro Manila Bar-Gulf Craft: 26-20, 47-45, 64-70, 91-75
Dubai Trojans finally barged into the win column when Nanu Cabrera and Moradas contributed 15 points apiece as they beat Al Hur Al Abyad 68-64. Bularon hit a game-high 19 points including four triples while Munoz and PArdillo added 16 and 13 points respectively for Al Hur Al Abyad’s losing cause.
Quarterscores: Al Hur-Al Abyad/ Dubai Trojans: 20-21, 34-37, 47-54, 64-68
Meanwhile, PEBC Chairman Edwin Deang announced that aside from watching the basketball games, different prizes await the lucky raffle ticket winners and the chosen Face of the Day, Family of the Day, Couple of the Day, and Best Player for each game.
Sponsoring the prizes are Boracay, La Mesa Restaurant, Makati Comedy Bar, Ghaliya Travels, Fine Touch, Flower Box, Pampanguenos Restaurant, and Taza Restaurant.
Source: Kabayan Weekly April 18-24, 2013