Javee Mocon came alive in the fourth quarter, unloading eight of his 18 points to deliver the Cignal-San Beda HD Hawkeyes a 96-86 win over the Racal Tile Masters, Monday evening, and take the pole position in the playoffs, at the JCSGO Gym in Cubao, Quezon City.
The incoming fourth year forward took charge in the end game, helping the Hawkeyes fire the decisive 10-2 blast to turn a 77-74 edge to a commanding 87-76 lead with 4:17 remaining.
Mocon also hauled eight rebounds and three assists to keep Cignal’s eight-game winning streak alive and wound up with an 8-1 record.
“We just wanted to bring the positive attitude going to the semifinals,” said coach Boyet Fernandez.
Jason Perkins paced the Hawkeyes with 25 markers, six boards, and four assists, while Pamboy Raymundo had 10 points, three rebounds, and three assists.
“It’s really the character of my players,” said Fernandez. “We were up in the first quarter, lost the lead in second, but they stepped up their game in the third and credit to them for pulling away in the fourth. It’s for my players. It’s really their effort today which really won this game.”
Cignal-San Beda shot 49 percent from the field and 23-for-31 from the foul stripe to ground Racal. The Tile Masters, on the other hand, went just 3-of-20 from downtown.
Jackson Corpuz got 20 points and six rebounds for the second-seed Racal (7-2), while Kent Salado got 18 markers and six boards in the loss.
The Scores:
Cignal-San Beda (96) – Perkins 25, Mocon 18, Raymundo 10, Bolick 9, Cahilig 8, Potts 6, Tongco 6, Villarias 4, Oftana 3, Arboleda 2, Arong 2, Batino 2, Adamos 1, Bringas 0.
Racal (86) – Corpuz 20, Salado 18, Dagangon 9, Gabawan 8, Onwubere 7, Mangahas 6, Gabayni 4, Terso 4, Cabrera 3, Flores 3, Gumaru 2, Nambatac 2, Capacio 0, Torres 0.
Quarterscores: 31-22, 53-54, 75-72, 96-86.
