Phil’Health took game one of the best-of-three Finals of the HoopStars 2013 Corporate League as it edged Alneck Furniture, 85-80, at the J Centre Mall in Mandaue City.
Earl Escobido remained consistent since the playoffs began, lifting Phil’Health to victory with his 20 points, which included crucial freethrows in the dying seconds of the game that sealed the win.
Escobido’s heroics came after officials threw teammate Marlon Demape out of the game for unsportsmanlike conduct.
Demape punched Kevin Senerpida of Alneck after the latter inadvertently hit him on his way to a layup with 4:53 left in the game.
Demape’s basket was counted but he was not given the extra freethrow. He was also suspended and was required to attend the next game in formal attire while serving his suspension.
Should he fail to serve his suspension formally, he will not be allowed to play in game three should the series go to a do-or-die, sudden-death match.
Demape pitched in 16 points for the winning team while Aris Jayme added 17.
Deloy Maloloy-on topscored for Alneck with 20 points. /pr