Monday, August 08, 2005
CDO Stars trip up Laguna Spring in overtime
THE Cagayan de Oro Stars needed an extra five minutes to contain the undermanned Laguna Spring, 99-95, for their first back-to-back home wins in the 2005 Panasonic-NBC National Championship at the Corpus Christi Gym in Cagayan de Oro City.
The Stars banked on the backcourt combination of Roderick Ramos and Donald Tadena and workhorse Andrew Neri to complete the victory in overtime. The trio combined for 11 of the team’s 14 points in OT, helping the Stars improve to 3-4.
The Cooking Oil Masters trailed most of the game after missing key players Dondon Villamin, Val Domingo, Marlon Kalaw and Mel Latoreno, who attended the PBA Rookie Camp over the weekend.
Step-back jumper
Laguna opened the fourth quarter with a 12-2 run to take the lead for the first time, 77-70, at the 6:40 mark. Then the Stars slowly worked to regain the lead, 85-83, on Ramos’ step-back jumper over Mike Nuqui at top the key, 13 ticks left.
But Nuqui answered back with a leaning jumper off the glass in the last three seconds of the game to force extension.
Veteran guard Sonny Manucat gave Laguna an 87-85 lead at the start of OT but the Stars played it cool as the visitors ran out of steam.
Despite a huge size disparity, the Stars outrebounded the taller Spring, 48-47, behind 6-foot-2 forward Neri’s 10 boards on top of 15 points and five assists.
Top scorers
Ramos and Ronan Isidro scored 28 and 22 markers, respectively to pace the Stars. Rodel Manuel had 17 points for Laguna, while Chris Corbin logged 16 and five boards, and Rodel Mallari had 14 points five rebounds and three blocks.
Laguna, which dropped to 5-4, was playing the Valencia Golden harvest at presstime.
CDO (99) – Ramos 28, Isidro 22, Neri 15, Tadena 12, Diango 7, Jabagat 6, Culdora 5, Romaguera 4. Laguna (95) – Manuel 17, Corbin 16, Mallari 14, Manucat 14, Reyes 10, Caceres 9, Nuqui 7, Proceso 4, Mendoza 2, Nolasco 2. Quarterscores: 24-22, 51-42, 68-65, 85-all, 99-95 OT. RCM
(August 8, 2005 issue)
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