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By Frank C. Calapre, Correspondent
Pharex Medics used their fiery running game in
the final quarter to beat Noosa Shoes, 90-75, Saturday in the 2008
PBL Lipovitan Amino Sports Cup at The Arena in San Juan.
Elmer Oreta, Francis Allera and Fritz Bauzon
combined for 15 points in the Medics’ 13-2 final assault en route
to their fifth straight win, a half-game behind solo leader Harbour
Centre, which has a 5-0 slate.
“It’s not a bad start. It just showed that
there are lots of things to improve in this team and my players
followed my instructions. That’s why we won against Noosa,” said
Pharex coach Carlo Tan.
“Right now, we are more on defense that
offense. Even if we did scored well but it really came because of
our improved defense,” added Tan.
It was a sorry loss for the Shoe Stars, who were
leading most of the way until the decisive run by the Medics that
turned the game into their favor, 76-69, 5:01 left.
“It was the turning point. It’s good the
boys stepped-up even if we were struggling most in the game but
still the boys did not give up and follow our game plan,” stressed
Tan.
With the loss, their third in five games, the
Shoe Stars dropped to solo sixth.
Oreta led the Medics with 20 points aside from
his five rebounds and three steals while Allera added 17. Nurjanjam
Alfad had 10 points and a game-high 15 rebounds. Noy Javier tallied
21 points for Noosa followed by Kelvin de la Pena with 13.
Scores:
Pharex 90 – Oret a 20, Allera 17, Alfad 10,
Bauzon 9, Villamin 7, Salagada 6, Ebuen 6, Bughao 6, De Guzman 4,
Matias 4, Gerilla 1.
Noosa 75 – Javier 21, De la Pena 13, Wilson 9,
Robles 7, Serios 6, Evangelista 6, Pradas 5, Ciriacruz 4, Celada 2,
Mangahas 2, Vizcarra 0.
Quarters: 13-16, 37-36, 63-58, 90-75.
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