PHILHEALTH of playing coach Anthony Cenabre nipped favored IBP, 79-74 while the Bureau of Internal Revenue (BIR) crushed Alin Customs Brokerage, 85-74, Wednesday night in the 1st Bureau of Customs Invitational League-2013 basketball tournament at the Benedicto College gym.
PhilHealth led 20-18 in the opening period then maintained its single-digit advantage the rest of the way for its first win while IBP dropped to 1-1.
Former USP Panther Richard Arco and Bert Anadon led PhilHealth with 17 and 15 points, respectively while Richard Bauzon and Marvin Miralles paced IBP with 15 and 13 markers.
In the other game, BIR also led by single-digit in the first three quarters before unloading a 28-20 rally in the fourth for its 11-point win.
Jerson Espinosa and Alvin Zabala topped BIR with 15 and 14 points, respectively while Ryan Villomo paced Alin Brokers with a game high 19 markers.
BOX SCORES
PHILHEALTH (79)- Arco 17, Anadon 15, Yap 12, Escobido 12, Campos 10, Yu 4, Ornopia 4, Teves 3, Quiñanola 2.
IBP (74)- R. Bauzon 15, Miralles 13, MR Gamallo 10, Fe. Pepito 10, Ortiz 9, Bragat 5, E. Bauzon 4, Santos 4, Busi 4.
2nd game
BIR (85)- Espinosa 15, Zabala 14, Sorela 13, Meso 10, Quieb 8, Del Rosario 8, Diamos 6, Limbaroc 4, Pajares 3, Ruben 2, Alburo 2.
ALIN (74)- Villomo 19, Barral 12, Lobitaña 10, Estorgio 6, Lleve 6, Desucatan 4, Israel 3, Alimoren 1, Baltonado 1./Correspondent Dale Rosal