The Wangs Basketball Couriers rose to the occasion and clipped the Centro Escolar University Scorpions from behind, 88-87, for its first win, Tuesday afternoon at JCSGO Gym in Cubao, Quezon City.
Michael Juico came up big in the payoff period as he unlashed 12 of his 26 points in the frame, to go with eight rebounds and two assists.
The Couriers roared back from 10 points down, 82-72, with 2:41 remaining and staged a 16-5 tear punctuated by a pair of Jason Riley freebies to grab the one-point lead with 22.9 seconds left.
Rod Ebondo and Art Aquino had chances to put the Scorpions ahead, but the two flubbed their shots from close range as time expired.
“Yung mga bata, uhaw sa panalo,” said Wangs head coach Pablo Lucas. “Sumunod sila sa gameplan at yun ang nagpanalo sa amin.”
Tim Habelito tallied a near double-double of 12 markers and nine boards, while Christian De Chavez added in 11 for Wangs.
The CEU meltdown wasted Ebondo’s scintillating 27-point, 20-rebound, and 4-block showing as it squandered its 15-point advantage, 48-33 early in the third quarter.
JK Casiño had 17 markers and four assists in the loss.
Wangs will next face Team Batangas on Tuesday, June 6 at the Ynares Sports Arena at 10:00am. CEU, on the other hand, looks to bounce back when they face the Tanduay Rhum Masters on the same day at 12:00nn.
The Scores:
Wangs Basketball (88) – Juico 26, Habelito 12, De Chavez 11, Amboludto 8, Asuncion 7, Riley 5, Herndon 4, Montemayor 4, Sorela 4, King 3, Arambulo 2, Importante 2.
CEU (87) – Ebondo 27, Casiño 17, Cruz 12, Uri 8, Manlangit 7, Aquino 6, Intic 4, Wamar 4, Arim 2, Baconcon 0, Guinitaran 0, Jeruta 0, Saber 0.
Quarterscores: 12-14, 33-42, 57-60, 88-87.
