ALMOST but not quite for USLS-Freeze Sportswear, which scared Melfern before succumbing 88-90 in Saturday’s action of the 2018 Negros Basketball Association President's Cup at Po Hang gym in Bacolod Tay Tung High School.
The La Sallians, behind Tata Antipatia's 27 points, 24 coming from the triple area, were ahead 41-38 at half and 64-63 in the third until they were outscored 27-24 by Melfern in the final canto.
Big Boy Posecion milked his way with 24 points in the paint while the Sarona-Maningo duo combined for 34 points. USLS also missed 10 free throws which could have turned the tide in their favor.
In the other game, CSAV-Silver Dragon registered its 5th straight win after an opening day loss by skinning LCC-Bacolod/Davies Paint/J Squared Construction, 102-83.
LCC led at the half, 46-41, but there was no stopping Titans’ Carl Magbanua who top scored with 23 points. Jeffrey Manday added 26 and Jeric Adorio's 23 markers were mostly from the arc and the paint area.
The Blue Panthers were outscored 29-16 in the third and 32-21 in the fourth quarter as CSAV made sure they got permanent hold of the second top spot in the nine-team tournament.