San Marino Corned Tuna-USPF puts up big stop at endgame to down Lion Tiger-USJ-R

The San Marino Corned Tuna-University of Southern Philippines Foundation caught a big fish as it upset the Lion Tiger Aerosol-University of San Jose-Recoletos, 74-72, to close out its elimination round campaign on a high note in the 6th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. Partner’s Cup yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Panthers came up with a gallant defensive stand in the dying seconds of the match as they blocked three shots by the Jaguars in one possession to preserve their third win in eight matches. Lion Tiger fell to its third loss against five victories.

San Marino appeared to have control of the lead as it led by 11, 60-49, at the start of the final canto.

Lion Tiger mounted a comeback behind Abulaiz Sulaiman, who scored 12 of his 22 points in the fourth canto, including a three-point play that allowed the Panthers to come within one, 65-66, with 3:53 left.

Two more freethrows by Sulaiman put Lion Tiger within an inch once more, 72-73, with 46.7 seconds remaining. Lion Tiger had several chances to nab the lead but attempts by Zandro Palileo, Jayson Olbedado and Sulaiman were snuffed out by the defense of San Marino.

Lion Tiger had one more shot at taking the lead after they forced San Marino’s point guard Junas Misa to a five-second ballhogging violation. But Miguel Tabaloc failed to find the mark on his three-point try, which led to a freethrow by James Ferraren, which gave San Marino a 74-72 lead with 4.3 seconds left.