THE SAN MARINO Corned Tuna finally broke into the win column as they subdued the Kia Motors, 77-74, in the 6th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. Partner’s Cup yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.
After five failed attempts, the University of Southern Philippines Foundation-powered San Marino averted disaster as they hung on for the much-needed victory in spite losing a 13-point lead in the third period.
The game was close in the first half as San Marino led by just three, 30-27, at halftime.
But they gained some headway in the third canto behind the stellar play of Joshua Corciles, Fritz Dajalos and Jen Nudalo.
A three-point play by Corciles gave San Marino its biggest lead of 13, 43-40, with 6:54 remaining in that stretch.
Kia Motors was not rolling over just yet as they fought back and tied the game at 55-all heading to the fourth canto behind a sizzling 16-5 rally anchored on the hot shooting streak of newbie Vincent Menguito.
The lanky wingman scored all 13 of his points in the third, which brought the Cebu Institute of Technology-University-manned Kia Motors right back into the game.
The game stayed close in the early stages of the final stanza but San Marino pushed forward behind an 11-4 run that was capped off by a fadeaway jumper from the baseline by Jomari Sollano, with 3:10 left.
Kia Motors came close, 74-76, and had several chances to take the lead but Floyd Taboada went cold when it mattered the most.
San Marino now stands with a 1-5 (win-loss) record. The Panthers got 12 points from Brylle Meca, even as four others scored eight or more. Taboada managed 15 markers to pace Kia Motors. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio