By Ernest Hernandez
Julian Jugo of Pateros prepares to make his move against Pasay. The Pateros Mighty Ducks withstood Pasay Travel City's fourth-quarter comeback to earn their first win, 60-57, of the 16-and-under Metro Basketball Tournament at the San Juan Gym.
Opening the quarter with suffocating defense, the Mighty Ducks limited their opponents to only 23-percent of their field goals resulting in a 15-3 lead. Travel City made a late 6-0 run to end the period.
Pasay kept pace with Glenn Sienes scoring 12 points in the first half to help Travel City trails only by 4 heading into the third quarter.
Argus Joseph Rizos stepped up in the third quarter for Travel City, unloading 8 points and four rebounds to trim the Pateros lead to just two heading into the final period.
Travel City regained the lead in the fourth quarter but the Mighty Ducks rode on Julian Jugo's back who scored poured in 7 points in the last quarter.
On the brink of victory, Pasay gave Pateros a scare when Sienes got fouled in the three-point arc with 0.4 seconds left. With all eyes on him, Sienes missed all free throws and allowed Pateros to escape with their first win of the tournament.
Jugo of the Mighty Ducks led all scorers with 25 points while Sienes of Travel city netted 16.
Hoping to carry their momentum, the Pateros Mighty Ducks led by Hon. Mayor Miguel Ponce III and Ericson Raymundo will be battling the MMDA Black Wolves next on Wednesday, April 18 while Pasay Travel City led by Hon. Mayor Antonino Calixto and Ramon Martin will try to bounce back against Makati Skyscrapers on the same day.
Both games will be played at the Paranaque Sports Gym.
Scores:
Pateros Mighty Ducks (60) – Jugo 25, Inocencio 9, Delfonso 9, Caranguero 8, Salonga 4, Tangco 2, Ambrosio 2, Macatangay 1, Espinol 0, Esic 0, Quinones 0, Lalusin 0, Delfonso 0, Raymundo 0, Carreon 0.
Pasay Travel City (57) – Sienes 16, Soriano 9, Rizos 9, Frias 7, Cervantes 5, Reyes 4, Arcilla 4, Delos Santos 3, Ante 0, Lopez 0, Ballan 0, Damian 0,Ramos 0, Arnejo 0, Patinio 0.
Quarters: 15-9, 26-22, 41-39, 60-57.