Team Hoopers of Yoly Meso crushed Phoenix, 58-49, Saturday night in the battle of unbeaten squads for the former’s third win in as many games to grab the solo lead in the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA)-2013 basketball tournament at the Capitol Parish gym.
The Hoopers jumped to a sizzling 20-8 run in the opening period and maintained its double-digit lead, 33-21, at the bend. Phoenix however, unloaded a blistering 14-4 rally in the third to trim the gap to just two points, 35-37, going to the final quarter.
The Hoopers though, would lean on a solid defensive stand in the fourth to outscore Phoenix, 21-14 for the nine-point victory.
In the other game, PICPA Snipers drubbed winless PICPA Bulls, 66-52, for its 2nd win in four games (2-2) with Jacon Bonsucan scoring a game-high 22 points with Alvin Zabala and high-leaping Benedict Bandala adding 10 apiece.
Ramil Oliveros and Ryan Alejandre paced the Bulls with 18 and 17 points, respectively.
Earlier, the Wildcats routed Intangibles, 76-51 to improve to 2-2 while the latter dropped 1-3.
Benson Romero and Jude Seares led Wildcats with a game-high 22 and 15 points, respectively, while Rich Benido paced the Intangibles with 14 markers.
BOX SCORES
WILDCATS (76)- Romero 22, Seares 15, Huyo-a 8, Ompad 8, D. Faciol 6, Jumuad 6, Distriza 2, Labaya 2, Trocio 2, Maningo 2, Ian Boy 2, Oyanguren 1.
INTANGIBLES (51)- Benido 14, Melino 12, Cabarrubias 12, Judilla 8, Markie 2, Alabano 2, Degolacion 1.
2nd game
HOOPERS (58)- Santiago 25, Guieb 11, Meso 10, Prosia 5, Cadungog 3, Canonigo 2, Catmon 2.
PHOENIX (49)- Cabonelez 12, Padios 12, Piape 11, Lusica 6, Judaya 6, Hoylar 2.
3rd game
SNIPERS (66)- Bonsucan 22, Zabala 10, Bandala 10, Cuadra 5, Seno 5, Galo 4, Bauzon 4, Chino 2.
BULLS (52)- Oliveros 18, Alejandre 17, Flores 10, Arquillano 5, Navales 2. /Correspondent Dale G. Rosal