GOLDEN Pine outmuscled Minero, 94-87, to score its second win in as many outings in bracket D of the ongoing 21st Friendship Cup basketball tournament.

Brian Canias fired 24 points to lead the hotelier’s charges where they never trailed in the second half after the miners got hold of a nine point lead late in the second period for their second straight victory in the tournament organized by the SLU boy’s high batch 80.

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The hotel company let Minero stay close in the ball game by committing at least 20 turnovers in the entire ball game, but Golden Pine controlled the game by grabbing more rebounds than the taller miners squad.

Despite four of its squad scoring in double digit, the miners were a little bit off in their offense converting only 10 triples out of 26 it shot in the entire game.

Minero tried to stay in the ball game late in the fourth quarter staring on a one point deficit, 72-71 with 4:20 left in the ball game but Canias scored a timely triple to pad Golden Pine’s lead, 75 – 71.

Golden Pine then never looked back posting at least a nine point advantage in the last two minute frame, 87–76 before closing out the ball game with a seven point advantage.

Canias, who dished out another MVP like performance drew support from sweet shooting Earl Ganga who had 14 points in his output.

Despite having their offensive off night, Mark Calalo and Tyronne Mendoza had 26 and 22 points, respectively, while Doddie Mendoza and Richard Fablatin added 11 points apiece. (Roderick Osis)