Friday, July 25, 2008 Axial ends Alvin Parts' winning streak
THE pressure to win outright the championship of the Bus Group-Sharp Cup quadrangular meet is off as Axial Engineering Works finally clamped Alvin Auto Parts, 78-63, for the Partsmen's first loss in seven games at Lopue's South Square gym.
Axial was so dominating that except for Abet Jarder, who fouled out with 7:59 left in the third quarter, all six delivered double figure scores with Raymundo Sapa Jr. leading with 19 points, hitting five triples.
Edgar Espares added 24 points, Henry Doble 12, Melvin Baclay 11, and Rene Antones and Henrico Juarez, 10 each.
For the frustrated Partsmen, Biboy Java collected 18 and Reynaldo Valencia chipped in with 16 as the rest played listlessly.
Axial, which avenged its 80-81 and 52-65 losses to Alvin, led 35-18 in the first half, outscored the Partsmen 23-10 in the third canto and was never threatened.
In the other game, Team 'S' repeated over Sucden with an 85-63 victory as Julius Prietos drilled in 18 points, Zaldy Navarra 16, Jovito Yasay 14 and Johann Belandres 10. Vic Dueñas had a night high 28 for the losers. He was supported by Mel de Dios's 13 and Arman Pabon's 12 markers.
Despite the loss, Alvin remains on top while Team 'S' stays at second. The number one and two teams will have a twice-to-beat advantage in the semi-final round.
Games Friday pit Axial and Sucden at 6:30 p.m. while Team 'S' battles Alvin at 8 p.m. (HGD)
