MANILA, Philippines — Sealions and MOB tripped hard-luck Naughty Needlez in separate matches in the 2013 Danny Espiritu Cup last week.
Sealions, bannered by seasoned playmaker Egay Billones, led from start to finish in disposing of Naughty Needlez, 94-84, at Treston International College Gym in the second week of the annual tournament named in honor of the country’s top player agent.
MOB, meanwhile, needed a telling 16-2 blast in the third quarter to score a 91-85 triumph, also over Naughty Needlez, a team composed of TV personalities and ex-pros, at Letran gym.
Billones, who had stints in the PBA and the ABL, churned out 11 points, Edwin Asoro added 12 even as Sealions drew bulk of its scoring from the bench.
Former PCU Dolphin Ian Garrido produced 19 points and 13 boards, while Gilbert Malabanan had 15 markers for Sealions, which pushed the lead to as big as 55-35 in the second quarter.
MOB, named after owners Mike, Oly and Bien, on the other hand, leaned on Jopher Custodio, who either assisted or scored, to turn a 42-46 deficit to a 58-48 lead with 3:48 left in the third period.
Guard Jeff Viernes tried to keep the momentum on MOB’s side for the rest of the game, pushing the lead to 17 with three minutes left, giving MOB enough cushion to withstand Naughty Needlez’ last-ditch rally.
Viernes unleashed a game-best 20 points and 10 assists while Custodio added 17 markers.
Naughty Needlez, which featured able scorers like James Martinez and Vaughn Canta, remain in search for its first win.
The scores:
First game
Sealions 94 — Garrido 19, Malabanan 15, Asoro 12, Billones 11, Martinez, 9, Zagala 8, Solis 7, Junio 6, Santiago 5, Alao 2, Villareal 0, Tuble 0.
Naugthy Needlez 84 — Martinez 21, Canta 16, Vijandre 8, Cunanan 8, Espinosa 7, Valles 7, Alcaraz 7, Cabonce 6, Alandy 4.
Quarters: 27-20, 55-38, 76-66, 94-84.
Second game
MOB 91 — Viernes 20, Custodio 17, Melencio 13, Reyes 10, Corpuz 8, Cornejo 7, Liaz 5, Maconocido 5, Ranises 3, Acosta 2, Montilla 1, Sarangay 0, Gonzalgo 0.
Naughty Needlez 85 — Taupa 19, Canta 18, Espinosa 15, Martinez 12, Aguilar 8, Alcaraz 4, Ybanez 4, Cunanan 3, Alandy 2, Vijandre 0.
Quarters: 20-22, 37-42, 66-62, 91-85.
