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Wednesday, January 19, 2005
Granny Goose bags semifinal position
By Rommel C. Manlosa
GRANNY Goose Tortillos put a punctuation mark on its dominance over AMP-Ateneo by using a menacing full-court press and powerful inside plays in the second half for a 76-52 victory in the quarterfinals of the PBL Open Champions at the Pasig Sports Center yesterday.
While Welcoat Paints also got its strength from the flamboyant Anthony Washington, who scored 31 points on the Paint Masters’ 90-60 mastery over the ICTSI-La Salle in the other quarterfinal action.
Granny Goose and Welcoat’s victories completed the Final 4 as the Cebu-based Snacksmasters will play a best-of-three affair with the Davao-based Montaña Pawnshop, and the taller Welcoat Paints renews its rivalry with Magnolia Ice Cream-FEU in their own series for a finals slot.
Team skipper Alfie Grijaldo took over from Joseph Ronald Quiñahan and scored all of his 14 points on a 5-of-6 field-goal clip to douse cold water on the Eagles’ comeback attempt. Grijaldo also grabbed nine boards, made two assists and had one steal.
With Quinahan imposing his will in the shaded lane, Jett Latonio and Jireh Ibanes connecting from long range, the Snackmasters broke loose from a tight contest with a decisive run in the third that saw them taking a 56-37 spread going into the final quarter.
Coming from a slow start, the Snacksmasters dropped a 10-2 run to bounce back from a 2-7 deficit to close the opening quarter with a 19-15 advantage.
With its mindset focused, Granny Goose displayed an unrelenting defense that forced the Eagles out from the shaded lane that allowed them to erect a 19-point margin goin into the final frame.
Chico Lanete also provided a different mode to the game as his 10 points and 10 rebounds help give them their fourth straight win coming from a four-game slide. Emerson Oreta tried to rescue the Eagles by his lonesome as he trimmed the lead down to 14 points but Grijaldo scored 11 straight points of his own for Granny Goose copped with a buzzer-beating triple for the final count.
Quiñahan also established himself as an emerging power at center as he delivered 12 points on top of five rebounds, two assists and two blocks.
Granny Goose (76) – Grijaldo 14, Quinahan 12, Lanete 10, Ibanes 10, Latonio 8, Cruz 8, Almeda 6, Concha 4, Capati 2, A. Santos 2. AMP-Ateneo (52) – Oreta 20, Mesina 11, Gatumbato 6, Castro 5, Membrere 4, Mendoza 2, Bugia 2, Tenorio 2. Quarterscores: 19-15; 35-27; 56-37; 76-52.
Welcoat (90) – Washington 31, Tolomia 15, Najorda 8, Sta. Maria 8, Dy 8, Ortiguerra 7, Mamaclay 5, Tan 3, Coching 3, Dulay 2. ICTSI-La Salle (60) – Cardona 24, Cabatu 9, Yeo 8, Aquino 5, Arana 3, Gaco 3, Casio 3, Tang 2. Quarterscores: 27-20; 48-36; 66-50; 90-60.
(January 19, 2005 issue)
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