Monday, October 06, 2008 Beneco stops JVG for Centennial Cup title By Roderick Osis
BENECO'S Jo de Guzman earned his last three points in the free throw line with 16 seconds left in the ball game to repulse the JVG Dental Center 93-90 to win their one game championship in bracket A of the recently concluded Baguio Centennial Cup Basketball Invitational Tournament.
After the ejection of its head coach Jason Wayet with 7:31 left in the ball game, Beneco used it as a rallying point to finally lead in the ball game 81-80 with 4:20 remaining in the ball game.
Wayet was called for two technical fouls for shoving a referee after being displeased by the alleged non-calls of the officials against the dental center's infractions during the ball game.
The Beneco coach was not available for comment after the ball game while officials of the tournament refused to answer his complaint.
Beneco ended the first quarter with a 15-14 lead but JVG proved their scoring prowess in the inside lane to finally lead at the end of the first half at 38-46 courtesy of Arnel Santos, and Nelson Juco drawing help from Gerry Rigos.
At the end of the third period, JVG continued to dominate the scoreboards against the power distributor to eke out a 65-67 lead.
When the buzzer for the final period sounded, both teams were fired up but JVG focused on defense erecting an eight-point advantage, 70-78.
Both teams played physical but referees held their grounds to control the ball game preventing almost scuffles until the double technical foul was called against Beneco.
The power distributors then went to veterans Emerson Esgana, Reagan Acdong, and Bart Parrocha to pull them within one then claimed the driver's seat with less than five minutes to play.
Refusing to quit in the no-more-tomorrow championship game, both teams continued to exchange baskets ensuing an 86-deadlock with 2:29 remaining.
Esgana then connected a trey to break the deadlock and enjoy an 89-86 lead with less than one minute to play.
Juco then converted a short stab to pull them within 89-88 with 24.6 seconds left. De Guzman was fouled in the next play converting two of his two free throws to lead again by three, 91-88 with 16.6 left in the clock.
JVG then failed to convert in their ball possession with de Guzman claiming the rebound where he was fouled anew converting one of his two charity shots to lead by four, 92-88.
Juco converted another two in the next play to pull them with in one. JVG then fouled Parrocha converting another point to finally seal the win for the power distributors.
Esgana topped Beneco with his 27-point performance including five triples to go with his three assists with three steals. Acdong contributed 21 points with 6 rebounds including four assists.
De Guzman had 17 with his nine rebounds while Parrocha chipped in 13 points including seven assists and six rebounds.
Juco, on the other hand, led JVG with his 28 points. Santos added 23 markers including five assists and four rebounds while Gerry Rigos had 11 to go with his 7 rebounds.
