THE University of Cebu (UC) Heat improved to 4-1 after nipping BCH Martians (3-2), 80-79, last Sunday to share the lead with IBP-Gwapo in the ongoing Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA)-2012 basketball tournament at the USP gym in Lahug.
UC Heat led comfortably, 23-13 in the first period with brothers Jecon and Arjam Bonsucan leading the charge. But the Martians sizzled in the 2nd stanza behind Edlen Endrina who exploded with 17 points in that stretch to cut down their deficit to, 37-45, at the half. The Heat then took a 12-point lead in the third, 63-51 with an 18-14 run.
However, the Martians rallied hard in the fourth and tied the count at 79-all with five seconds remaining on Endrina’s booming triple. But in the return play, UC Heat’s Boyet Balucan was fouled by Ryan Alejandre with three seconds left and the former canned one of his two freethrows for the cardiac victory.
Jecon Bonsucan led UC Heat with 32 points spiked by five trifectas while Arjam Bonsucan and Edward Bauzon combined for 24 markers. Edlen Endrina paced BCH Martians with 36 points.
Earlier, the Warriors Intangibles tripped R.P. Mora-Lycans, 48-43 with Carl Leyson and Jansen Sevilla scoring 13 and 10 points. Benedict Bandala paced the Lycans with 11 points.
BOX SCORES
WARRIORS (48)- Leyson 13, Sevilla 10, Conde 7, Alabado 5, Dakay 4, Camiso 4, Donaire 2, Judilla 2, Monsales 1.
LYCANS (43)- Bandala 11, Ompad 9, Padios 8, Cadampog 6, Lofranco 5, Supilanas 2, Trocio 2, Ocupe 1, Oyanguren 1.
Main game
UC HEAT (80)- J. Bonsucan 32, A. Bonsucan 14, Bauzon 10, Sabala 9, Galo 6, Cabuguas 6, Seno 2, Balucan 1.
MARTIANS (79)- Endrina 36, Ibo 13, Alejandre 11, Flores 11, Oliveros 6, Lofranco 2. /Correspondent Dale Rosal