THE Utility Assurance Corp. (UTASSCO) snared the solo lead in the Power Forty Basketball Club-2012 Summer League basketball tournament after ripping winless Allyn & Sons, 113-99, Tuesday night for a 3-0, win-loss record at the Emilio Jaca Memorial gym in barangay Inayawan, Cebu City.
Utassco jumped to a, 28-19 rally in the opening period then widened its lead to double digits, 54-43 at the half.
Allyn & Sons responded with a blistering, 32-20 run in the third behind Melvin Caumeran and Dodong Piezas to grab a, 75-74 lead heading to the final quarter.
But Utassco outscored Allyn & Sons in the fourth, 39-24 for the 14-point win.
In the other game, Jenjic Commando edged winless Alfa Electrical, 80-79 to improve to 2-2 in a match that was close from start to finish.
After a 79-all tie, Kaka Cabatas sank one of his two freethrows with 1.7 seconds remaining that lifted Jenjic Commandos to the hairline victory.
Joel Cañete led Jenjic Commandos with 25 points while Allan dela Rama and Mark Navares paced the losing squad with 18 and 14 points, respectively.
BOX SCORES
UTASSCO (113)- Mercado 22, Veloso 20, Ebrado 18, S. Yosores 12, Nacional 9, Vernaiz 8, F. Yosores 7, Abasolo 6, Yu 5, Echavez 4, Nuñez 2,
ALLYN & SONS (99)- Caumeran 26, Capala 20, Javierto 15, Piezas 14, Cabaluna 10, Pestaño 6, Mapait 4, Cabase 2, Lawas 2.
2nd game
JENJIC (80)- Jo. Cañete 25, Tantay 15, Dumale 10, Ju. Cañete 8, Cabatas 7, Pacquiao 5, Atillo 4, Moneva 2, Navares 2, Dayota 2.
ALFA (79)- Dela Rama 18, Navares 14, Jaca 12, Sandal 8, Flordeliza 8, Arnado 4, Filosopo 4, Abellana 3, Kalinga 2, Albaño 2, Labalan 2, Sabejon 2. /Correspondent Dale Rosal