Minero bags F-Cup pocket tourney

MINERO bucked a second half meltdown but nonetheless finished off a gritty Bats squad to win the championship of the Friendship Cup Pocket Tournament which saw eight teams playing organized by SLU Boys High Batch ’80.

The Philippine Mining Safety and Environment Association bungled a double digit deficit in the third and fourth period but escaped an 85-79 decision Monday evening at the Easter College Gym.

Alvin Santos and Mike Romero finished with 21 and 17 points each to lead Minero in winning its seventh championship crown since the squad was formed in 2007.

“It was a tough game. We were able to hold them with our defense in the first half but their shooting in the second half was far better than ours but luckily we escaped them,” said coach Zards Gacad.

After posting a 47-30 lead at halftime, it was all bad luck for the minero squad as Bats slowly trimmed the deficit to a single digit advantage on a 20-12 run for a 5950 count with 2:17 remaining in the third period.

Bats continued their romp in the pay-off canto giving the gold diggers a scare as it came within five, 75-70, with 5:30 remaining in the ball game.

Both squads then went scoreless in the next three minutes but Santos came up with a much needed basket to pull Minero up by seven, 77-70 with 2:39 left.

Bats, however, countered with a 4-0 run that saw them down by just three, 77-74 with 1:27 left.

But the Minero team did not just let the win slip away as they outscored Bats in the remaining minute of the ball game, 8-2, to secure the championship.

Returning Minero Richard Fablatin added 16 points while Junifer Tanding chipped in 13 points. (Roderick Osis)