As in their 81-77 opening-day win over Fern-C, the Vodka Spirits displayed their fighting heart anew in rallying from a 50-39 deficit early in the third period to prevail in the tight contest on a game-winning triple by Jorel Canizares.
Canizares finished with a game-high 22 points on an 8-of-16 shooting clip, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc.
Guards Earn Saguindel, Raffy Reyes and the comebacking James Martinez also delivered big numbers as the team of coach Rene Baena surprisingly vaulted into the leadership with powerhouse squads of Cobra Energy Drink and Excelroof with a 2-0 record.
"I think the boys love the ragtag team label given them. We are a second-rate team compared to Cobra, our sister team. But I think we were able to put up a decent, competitive team and I hope with this win, we proved we are no pushover," said Baena.
Saguindel added 20 points for Cossack while Martinez, who has recovered from an ACL injury that sidelined him the entire UAAP season 72, added 18 and Reyes chipped in 11.
Billy Afable, aching for big-time action after lurking in San Beda’s team B, provided the inside points with 10 markers while JR Taganas pulled down 12 rebounds.
Cossack dominated the first period, 24-17, but fell behind by four, 41-37, at halftime as the Cough Busters leaned on JR Gerilla's towering presence inside the paint.
"I just told them not to give up and we must play with better defense especially on transition," said Baena.
With the team of Carlo Tan threatening to blow the game away after leading by 11, the Vodka Spirits unraveled varying defensive patterns that threw off the Cough Busters’ offense.
"I think that was the key. They (Ascof) didn’t know what we’re doing because we shifted our defense from man-to-man to zone depending on who their players were on the floor," said Baena.
Martinez, Saguindel, Canizares and Reyes teamed up in a 27-10 tear to push Cossack ahead, 66-62, before a Bam Gamalinda three-pointer – his second in the quarter - cut the Spirits’ lead to one, 66-65, going into the final period.
Gamalinda fired seven more points in a 10-4 run opening the fourth canto as Ascof moved up by five, 75-70.
Canizares, however, unloaded the first of his two three-pointers in the final period in a 7-0 counter assault as Cossack took back the lead before Gerillla tied the count at 77-all with an inside stab.
Three free throws by Von Lanete and four more by Raymond Aguilar shoved Ascof to an 87-84 advantage inside the last 51.4 seconds. Reyes then made a split to make it 87-85 and following Rob Labagala’s ill-advised triple attempt for Ascof, Canizares nailed the big trey for the marginal basket.
Gamalinda, who finished with 19 points and buried three three-pointers, threw an airball from beyond the arc as the Cough Busters dropped to their second straight loss.
"It was supposed to be a one-on-one play with Raffy Reyes on top, then for Jorel (Canizares) to come up, but he came too early. That was not a part of our game plan but I'm glad he made a big shot," Baena said.
Gerilla also finished with 19 points aside from 11 rebounds while Lanete and Aguilar added 11 and 10 points in a losing effort for Ascof.
The Scores:
Cossack 88 – Canizares 22, Saguindel 20, Martinez 18, Reyes 11, Afable 10, Duran 3, Zamar 2, Taganas 2, Simpson 0, Noble 0, Morillo 0, Flores 0
Ascof Lagundi 87 – Gamalinda 19, Gerilla 19, Lanete 11, Aguilar 10 Bauzon 7, Labagala 6, Melegrito 5, Canlas 3, Mazo 3, Uyloan 2, Co 2, Leynes 0, Cole 0, Asoro 0
Quarterscores 24-19, 37-41, 66-65, 88-87
Source: Author Unknown | GMANews.TV
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