MONTAÑA PAWNSHOP and Rain or Shine downed separate rivals yesterday to forge a four-way tie for second as the race for the two outright semis berths intensified in the 2006 PBL Heroes Cup at the San Sebastian Gym in Cavite.
The Jewels scored only three charities in the final two minutes but it was enough to get back at Harbour Centre, 69-63, while the Elasto Painters watched Toyota Otis bungle two charities and a potential game-winning trey to escape with a 61-58 thriller.
For a while, the Elasto Painters appeared headed for an easy when they took a 60-52 lead with barely two minutes left but Toyota refused to give up the fight that easy as they unleashed a blistering 6-0 run, including back-to-back baskets by Jonathan Aldave, to move within 58-60 with 32 seconds remaining.
After Joe Devance missed two crucial free throws, Rain or Shine’s Ronjay Enrile also misfired a driving lay-up thus giving Toyota Otis another opportunity to either win the game or force an extension with a three-point shot.
Toyota’s Boyet Bautista opted for the last option when he gave up the chance to score from mid range after finding Aldave open from the way behind the three-point arc.
To the disappointment of Toyota squad, Aldave missed his target with 1.7 ticks left. Enrile, Toyota’s erstwhile top gunner, split his charities for the final score.
Though he managed only to sink one of four gift shots, it was still Reed Juntilla who emerged the biggest star for the Jewels as he tallied 11 of his game-high 19 points in the fourth quarter that kept Harbour Centre at bay.
With their wins, Montaña Pawnshop and Rain or Shine forged a four-way tie for second with Hapee-PCU and Granny Goose Tortillos at 4-3. Magnolia Dairy Ice Cream still remains on top of the heap with a 6-1 card.
The loss was the fifth straight for Harbour Centre after hurdling its first two games, including a 68-60 win over Montaña Pawnshop last Nov. 3. The Port Masters remained tied for 6th to 8th places with Toyota Otis and Far Eastern Insurance.
Al Magpayo, playing for the first time after being reactivated to the team, gave Juntilla the much-needed support by chipping in 11 points, grabbing six boards and dishing out two assists in 22 minutes of action, a performance that delighted coach Robert Sison.
