SAN LEONARDO, Nueva Ecija — Former Letran standout Fran Yu played the fireman’s role in the endgame that lifted San Juan to a thrilling 73-70 squeaker over Nueva Ecija last Saturday to gain the solo lead in the Manila Bankers Life-Pilipinas Super League Pro Division Second Conference Dumper Cup at the San Leonardo Gym here.
The 5-foot-10 Yu banged in a backbreaking three-pointer that pushed the Kings’ buffer to 73-68 with 34 seconds remaining before a Joseph Brutas layup pulled the Slashers to within 70-73, only 17.0 ticks left.
Nueva Ecija still had a lifeline after San Juan guard Rence Nocum muffed two free throws, but Chris Lagrama missed a triple try at the buzzer.
Nocum wound up with 20 points and six rebounds for San Juan, while Yu chipped in 10 markers, two boards, and three assists.
Nikko Panganiban also had 10 and four for the Kings, who remained unbeaten with a 6-0 mark, counting an 80-71 win over 1Munti last week in the tilt presented by Winzir and co-presented by Skin Care Depot, SCD Cosmetics, and Dumper party-list, and supported by NET 25, Adcon, Wcube Solutions Inc., MDC, Unisol, Don Benitos, and Finn Cotton, with PBA and Gilas Pilipinas great Marc Pingris serving as Commissioner.
The Slashers, coming off a 72-71 escape over the Pampanga G Lanterns last Jan. 14, fell to 3-7.
In the other game, Boracay edged the G Lanterns 84-81 for its third straight win.
Former PBA star Mac Cardona sizzled with a game-high 26 points, three caroms, and four dimes for the Islanders, while Bryan Faundo turned in a double-double of 15 markers and 10 rebounds.
Jaymar Gimpayan and Johnsherick Estrada combined for 25 as Boracay scored a big follow-up to an 89-82 triumph over Cagayan De Oro-PSP last Jan. 12 and rose to 5-4 for eight.
Pampanga dropped to 4-2 for sixth.
Lawrence Mallari was the lone bright spot for Nueva Ecija with 18 points and three rebounds.
Jap Pambid paced the G Lanterns with 19 points, nine boards, and three feeds, while Kurt Reyson added 13 markers.
Jamer Jamito and Arvie Bringas got 11 and 10 points, respectively for Pampanga.
The Scores
First Game
BORACAY 84 – Cardona 26, Faundo 15, Gimpayan 13, Estrada 12, Lopez 6, Lasco 4, Helterbrand 3, Mallari 3, Sablan 2, Peñaredondo 0, Esguerra 0.
PAMPANGA G LANTERNS 81 – Pambid 19, Reyson 13, Jamito 11, Bringas 10, Ramos 6, Garcia 6, Vera 6, Torado 5, De Leon 4, Apolonio 1, Santos 0, Sampang 0, Capulong 0, Bautista 0, Monte 0.
Quarters: 22-21, 42-39, 64-58, 84-81.
Second game
SAN JUAN 73 – Nocum 20, Yu 10, Panganiban 10, Dennison 6, Wamar 4, Eguilos 4, Soberano 4, Tajonera 4, Marquez 3, Taywan 3, Calahat 3, Cosari 2 Mojica 0.
NUEVA ECIJA 70 – Mallari 18, Lagrama 9, Nacpil 8, Cruz 8, Brutas 7, Bautista 6, Altamirano 6, Pascual 2, Ingel 2, Ingles 2, Juanico 2, Bartolo 0.
Quarters: 14-15, 36-43, 57-56, 73-70.
