Jay-R Taganas of Cossack Blue (right) and Gilbert Bulawan of Excelroof battle for ball possession during their PBL PG Flex-Erase Placenta Cup game Saturday at the Emilio Aguinaldo College gym. Excelroof won, 89-82. (Photo by BOB DUNGO JR.)

Excelroof banked on Calvin Abueva and Jimbo Aquino in the last five minutes to rally past Cossack Blue, 89-82, and secure the second semifinals berth in the 2010 PBL PG Flex-Erase Placenta Cup last Saturday at the Emilio Aguinaldo College gym in Manila.

While the 21-year-old forward Abueva provided the energy with his plays, Aquino came through with the big shots as the 25ers notched their fifth win in six games to tie Pharex B-Complex for the lead in the seasonopening conference.

Both teams will meet on Tuesday at The Arena in San Juan with the No. 1 spot on the line.

“Hindi bumigay yung mga bata dahil alam nilang importante itong laro na ito. At least tie na kami ng Pharex at magkakaalaman na kung sinu ang magiging No. 1 sa semis,” Excelroof coach Ato Agustin said.

Aquino fired 19 points, but it was Abueva’s hustle that provided the inspiration to the rest of his teammates as he finished with 13 points and 14 rebounds in just 18 minutes off the bench.

“Pag nasa loob siya (Abueva) nahahawa yung kakampi niya. Isa yan sa mga dahilan bakit tumaas yung intensity ng team,” said Agustin, who was also glad that his squad made just seven turnovers.

Abueva made an impressive play in the last two minutes, including an instance when he fixed his headband while dribbling on the fastbreak before completing a breakaway lay up that gave his team a 78-70 lead. Aquino sealed the win with an easy shot for an 80-71 edge with a minute left.

Gilbert Bulawan registered a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds while point guard Pamboy

Raymundo likewise scored 11 points, grabbed seven boards and dished out seven assists.

Excelroof pulled away for good on a drive by Raymundo with 5:14 left for a 69-68 lead. Marc Agustin, the coach’s son, scored on an alley-oop shot from

Aquino for a 74-69 advantage then Raymundo made it 76-69 with 3:13 remaining.

After a perfect 4-0 start, the Spirits have dropped their second straight to fall into third place.

The loss negated the big time performances of guard Earn Saguindel and burly big man JR Taganas.

Saguindel registered a personal-best of 29 points on 9-of-14 shooting but turned the ball over twice in the dying minutes.

The scores:
First Game
EXCELROOF 89 – Aquino 19, Abueva 13, Bulawan 11, Raymundo 11, Sangalang 7, Mendoza 7, Agustin 6, Pascual 6, del Rio 4, Bagatsing 3, Delgado 2, Taylor 0.
COSSACK BLUE 82 – Saguindel 29, Martinez 13, Simpson 11, Taganas 9, Morillo 7, Canizares 6, Afable 5, Reyes 2, Zamar 0, Etrone 0, Duran 0.
Quarters: 22-18, 37-39, 58-58, 89-82.