Porta Vaga scores in BFF Cup with first win

PORTA VAGA bounced back from a sorry loss in their opening game by repulsing University of Baguio Cardinals in the open bracket of the ongoing 2013 Panagbenga Cup Basketball Invitational Tournament at the Easter College Gym.

The shopping center improved to 1-1 while handling the Cardinals their second defeat with an 82-77 win Wednesday evening.

“Yung unang game talaga namin eh hindi maganda kais halos di pa namin kumpleto yung line-up,” said Porta Vaga coach Jun Elegado.

Former Cardinal Erwin Calixterio provided the fire power for Porta Vaga with a game high 23 points as he conspired with Rudolf Eilenger who added 15 points in a low scoring ball game with both teams shooting poorly from the three point territory.

Porta Vaga was in control of the ball game posting a 50-39 lead at the start of the third period but the Cardinals slowly trimmed the lead on a 14 -3 run to stay within one, 53-52, with 6:02 left in the quarter.

Enjoying a 61-55 cushion at the close of the third canto, Porta Vaga nearly floundered in the pay-off canto as it allowed the Cardinals to narrow the gap at 61-58 with 6: 50 remaining.

The Cardinals then capped their seven to nothing run to steal the lead momentarily, 62-61, with 5:21 remaining in the ball game.

Calixterio then conspired with Julius Castillo as Porta vaga came up with their own 11-2 run to regain back the lead at 74-64 to put away the Cardinals for good.

“We were able to bring in the pieces for the team kaya medyo maganda ang kinalabasan sa laro namin. Sana magtuloy-tuloy,” added Elegado.

Castillo finished with 10 points while JP Juralbal added 14 points.

The Cardinals drew 14 points from Kendrick Basan while Keff Occasion and Kevion Orduna added 12 and 10 points each who are 0-2 since Joel Flores returned as the top bench tactician.