CIT-U-backed team puts up tough fight but loses down the stretch to Prime Asia -UV

The Kia Motors-Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildcats gave the reigning champions Prime Asia Pawnshop-University of the Visayas the fight of their lives but came up short, succumbing to the veteran-laden Green Lancers, 77-80, in a thrilling Game 2 of the Cesafi Partner’s Cup best-of-five championship series last night at the Cebu Coliseum.

The Wildcats hung tough and led for most of the match until the fourth period, when head coach Gilbert Demape gave in to the pressure and was ejected from the match for continuous complaining.

The Wildcats also succumbed to clutch shotmaking from UV’s battle-tested warriors Wowie Escosio, Phil Mercader, John Abad and Arvie Cabanero.

The win game UV a crucial 2-0 lead in the series.

The Wildcats showed spectacular form for the first three periods and led, 53-49.

In the fourth, the two squads exchanged baskets until Abad stole the ball and went for an unmolested layup that put them in front, 61-59, with six minutes left.

Demape got at the referees’ case for what he perceived to be inconsistent calls and was quickly slapped with two technical fouls that got him tossed from the game at the 5:31 mark. Abad made three of the four freebies as UV extended their lead to five, 64-59.

From there, Prime Asia asserted themselves in the shaded lane against the undersized Kia Motors frontline with Cabanero and Escosio taking turns puncturing the hoop.

Kia managed to slice down the lead to just two, 77-79, with 7.5 on the clock. Escosio got fouled and made just one for a three-point cushion.

Kia Motors had one last shot at tying the game but Jestoni Baclaan’s trey attempt went short as time expired.

Mercader ended up with 21 points to lead Prime Asia while  Escosio and Abad had 15 apiece.

The Lion Tiger-University of San Jose-Recoletos won the third place trophy after sweeping the San Marino Corned Tuna-University of Southern Philippines Foundatio, 63-46, in their best-of-three series.