Games Friday (Duenas gym, Taguig City)
12 noon — Mandaue vs Laguna
2 p.m. — Taguig vs Ani-FCA

ANI-FCA made sure it won't waste another double-digit lead, stopping a late comeback by Mandaue to score a 77-70 victory in the final leg of the Tournament of the Philippines (TOP) on Thursday at the Cong. Jun Duenas gym in Signal Village, Taguig City.

The Cultivators led by 17 points after the first period and 15 in the third before Landmasters charged back to cut the lead to just four points, 74-70, on a jumper by Jose Magdadaro with barely two minutes left.

But they ran out of time, allowing ANI-FCA to keep its leg finals hopes alive in the tournament organized by the Philippine Basketball League and Liga Pilipinas.

Former MLQU Stallion Jofer Custodio scored 13 points while ex-pro Magnum Membrere added 11 points as the Cultivators need to beat host Hobe Bihon-Taguig this Friday to at least have a chance to make it to the finals.

The scores:
First Game
ANI-FCA 77 — Custodio 13, Membrere 11, Serios 9, Sena 7, Dizon 6, Husted 6, Luanzon 6, Saguindel 5, Cagoco 5, Arao 4, Mirza 3, Bautista 2, Palaganas 0.
MANDAUE 70 — Gerilla 16, Latonio 13, Alcaraz 11, Dennison 10, Magdadaro 9, Tangarorang 6, Magpayo 3, Bucao 2, Zanoria 0, Reyes 0, Laygo 0.
Quarters: 25-8; 39-35; 61-54; 77-70.