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Monday, September 26, 2005
Manila thrashes Forward Taguig in semis Game 1
TAGUIG CITY – The surging Bacchus/Harbour Centre-Manila continued its amazing streak Saturday night as it pulled the rug from under the defending Northern Conference champion Forward Taguig, 77-68, at the start of their semifinal series in the 2005 Panasonic-NBC National Championship at the C.P. Tinga Gym here.
After being limited by the league’s No.1 defensive team to only nine points in the second quarter, Bacchus/Harbour Centre exploded for 47 points in the second half as it moved within a win away from a conference finals berth.
Forward Taguig got a dose of its own medicine in the second half as it was limited to just 29 points.
Slotman Allan Gamboa nailed surprising back-to-back triples, while Nani Epondulan and Fil-Am guard Francis Rauschmayer had a 3-pointer apiece as Manila moved closer, 63-64, after trailing by two points at the start of the fourth period.
Career high
Gamboa had a career-high 3-of-3 triples en route to 15 points on top of 10 rebounds and three blocks, while Epondulan also had 15, four boards and three steals.
Rauschmayer and Brit Reroma added 12 and 10 markers, respectively for Bacchus/Harbour Centre, which has won three straight, the fist two in their quarterfinal sweep of the Boy Bawang-backed Parañaque Jets of Vice Mayor and actor Anjo Yllana.
“It’s been great to have a streak, especially in the playoffs. Our slump in the classification round is already a thing of the past and we’re hoping to go all the way,” Bacchus coach Lawrence Chongson said.
The series winner will go on to battle the second-seeded Far Eastern Insurance-backed Cavite in the conference finals. Cavite earlier swept the Laguna Spring to book the first final seat in the north.
Forward Taguig recovered from a poor start to erect a 39-30 lead at the break behind the second-quarter explosion of prolific-forward Leo Vilar, who led the team with 24 points and five rebounds.
Rally
Slotman Steve Marucot made eight of his total 10 points in the second half to rally Taguig as Vilar faded away. But Gamboa and Epondulan turned the heat up just in time to stop Taguig’s rally.
Taguig’s dismal Game 1 was typified by their ace-forward Jimboy Robillos, who only had a single basket in the entire game. The team dropped playmaker Ricky Ricafuente, Bernard de Guia and Rhagnee Sinco from the line-up before the playoffs began.
NBC games are aired over at the National Broadcasting Network, 4 p.m. every Sunday and at the Prime Channel at 2 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. daily.
Bacchus (77) – Gamboa 15, Epondulan 15, Rauschmayer 12, Reroma 10, Sta. cruz 9, Hardin 8, Coyukang 4, Cordero 2, Hudencial 2, Enrile 0, Chua 0. Taguig (68) – Vilar 24, Zablan 11, Marucot 10, Dela rosa 9, Reguerra 5, De castro 4, Aclon 3, Robillos 2, Dulay 0, Magsambol 0, Gonzales 0, Lapinid 0.
(September 26, 2005 issue)
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