THE Bureau of Customs skippered by Jingjing Rama halted the four-game winning streak of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (Pagcor), 58-48, last Wednesday for its third straight win in Group B and the early lead in the ongoing Association of Regional Executives in National Agencies (Arena), Region 7 basketball tournament at the DPWH covered court at the South Road Properties.
Both protagonists fought on even terms in the first three quarters with Pagcor grabbing a hairline, 37-36 lead at the end of the third quarter behind Noel Toling and Erik Relampagos. But Customs came back strong in the final canto with a scorching 21-10 for the 10-point victory.
Ronan Cañete and Jingjing Rama led Customs with 14 and 11 points, respectively while Boodee Monteño chipped in 10 markers. Erik Relampagos and Noel Toling paced Pagcor with 13 and 12 points, respectively.
Earlier, the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) managed by Regional Director, Atty. Hermeno A. Palamine routed the Court of Appeals (CA), 91-59, by far the biggest winning margin in the tournament. BIR improved its standing to 2-1 behind early leader Customs which has a clean 3-0 card.
Power-forward Leo Galvez fired a game-high 22 points for BIR with huge support coming from Allen Sorela (16 points), while Josper Español (14 pts) and Warren Makasiar (12 pts).
BOX SCORES
BIR (91)- Galvez 22, Sorela 16, Meso 8, Bonsucan 7, Limbaroc 6, Pajares 6, Cavan 6, Billones 4, Diamos 4, California 4, Baclayon 4, Del Rosario 2, Dizon 2.
CA (59)- Español 14, Makasiar 12, Angco 9, Verano 8, Cagulada 6, Rago 4, Gorrero 4, Caballero 2.
2nd game
CUSTOMS (58)- Cañete 14, Rama 11, Monteño 10, Tan 8, Matugas 7, Laraga 4, Capalan 2, Sarmiento 2.
PAGCOR (48)- Relampagos 13, Toling 12, Borromeo 4, Tancinco 4, Javier 4, Tumakay 3, Obenza 2, Adoptante 2, Agbay 2, Escalona 2. /Correspondent Dale Rosal