Joshbianc subdue Atlantic to grab solo lead

IN a battle of unbeaten teams, Joshbianc Motors slipped past Atlantic Auto Parts, 76-73 to claim solo leadership in the 8-team 2012 Fil-Sino All Asian Countertrade Inc. 2ndconference inter-color tournament at TTHS Po hang Gym.

In the second game, Kirell Brahndon Montalbo exploded for a tournament-high 49 points to give Johann Kendrick its first victory at the expense of Guanzon Dental Clinic, 123-94.

Atlantic took the 1st quarter and kept a slim 38-36 lead at the break behind a balanced offensive led by Johnnyson Yu with 8 points and Marc Lo’s 6 points while Joshbianc got their production from Arnol Laureño who made 8 points while Toffel Tan had 7 points.

Jeremy Coo delivered 9 points, as Joshbianc grabbed the lead at 57-52 after the 3rd quarter.

As momentum shifted to Joshbianc, Joshua Co and Arnol Laureño combined for 17 points to keep Atlantic at bay. Atlantic came only as near as 3 points throughout the quarter in cutting Joshbianc’s lead.

Laureño paced Joshbianc with 19 points, Co added 18 points, Coo 11 points and Arvin Chua shot 10 points.

Luigi Coo and Lo dropped 11 points each, while Yu and Ren Ren Lacson scored 10 points each.

In the other game, Montalbo dished out a stellar performance with double-digit outputs in three quarters.

Montalbo was backstopped by Ricky Chua and Biboy Yap with 14 points each, Peter Galon 13 points and Ritchie Militante with 12 points.

Playing with only five players, Guanzon surprised JK in the 2nd quarter as they outscored them to cut the lead at 55-47 from a 42-18 deficit.

However, Montalbo made sure that JK would get its first victory, as he singlehandedly outscored Guanzon in the 3rd quarter 19-18, pushing the lead to balloon to 90-65.

Guanzon was led by Jose Miguel Montinola who finished with 28 points, Chibon Uy and Christopher Mahinay scored 21 points each, Dr. Emil Guanzon hit 14 points and Peter Paul Ortaliz picked up 10 points. (Stephen Tan)