NANO ALVARADO and Justine Disquitado combined in the endgame to carry debuting Bagong Cabuyao Homelab Nation to a 72-71 Houdini over Nueva Ecija on Monday night in the Pilipinas Super League Pro Division Second Conference Dumper Cup at the Central Recreational Facility in New Era, Quezon City.
Alvarado’s layup shattered the game’s final deadlock for a 71-69 Cabuyao lead with 28 seconds to go before Disquitado hit a free throw that made it 72-69 20 seconds later.
The Slashers’ Daniel De Guzman scored on a putback off a Jerick Nacpil missed three-pointer at the buzzer but that wasn’t enough and Nueva Ecija failed to follow up on its 79-72 win over Cagayan de Oro-PSP last Thursday to fall to 2-3 won-lost.
Paolo Pontejos sparkled with 19 points on top of three rebounds and four assists for Cabuyao, while Joel Jolangcob chipped in 10 points, three rebounds and two assists.
Sancho Vitug also had 10 points and 10 rebounds to give Cabuyao coach, Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) legend Jerry Codiñera a big opening game triumph.
1Munti tripped Quezon City, 81-73, in a battle of debuting squads.
RJ Ramirez led the Emeralds with 18 points, while John Cantimbuhan added 14 points and two rebounds.
Domark Matillano and Mel Mabigat also combined for 23 points for Muntinlupa.
Airohn Acop paced the Slashers with 18 points, while Nacpil had 16 points and seven rebounds.
Former PBA player Mac Baracael scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds for the Beacons, while Monbert Arong added 11 points.
JK Casiño and Jan Jamon also got 10 points each for Quezon City.