Emerson Finance and Ingram Micro continued to lead the pack as they stayed undefeated so far in the 2016 Next5Hoops Corporate Recreational Division last Sunday.
It wasn’t an easy road for both teams, though, with Emerson Finance hanging tough against Solar Entertainment, 75-60, and Ingram Micro escaping SCMC-ARA, 73-71.
With no team leading by double digits all through out the game, Emerson Finance got a breather in the last seven minutes en route to their third win early in the tournament organized by One Unite Sports.
Emerson unleashed an 11-3 run that turned a one-point deficit to a 66-58 lead, the biggest in such a tight contest against Solar, with two and half minutes to play.
Jason Caseres registered a game-best 26 points that went along with 17 rebounds to Emerson Finance, which dominated down load with a 40-26 advantage.
Mario Gayagaya and Paulo Fernandez combined for 36 points for Solar Entertainment, which absorbed its second setback.
Meanwhile, Ingram Micro leaned on Aries Parucha, who erupted with 35 points including five triples, to send SCMC-ARA to another loss.
Medel Dela Torre added 20 points and five rebounds for Ingram Micro, which also improved to 3-0.
SCMC-Ara failed to repeat its opening day victory even with Christopher Frias and Marvin Alcala putting up a valiant effort with 44 points combined.
In the other games, Cement Mixers and Artesyn both picked up their second victories but went about it in contrasting ways.
Cement Mixers survived Nexus Technology, 44-43, in a low-scoring affair on a clutch freethrow from Marti Tombucon with 22 ticks to go.
That foiled the comeback from Nexus Technology, which tied the game with 36 seconds left after a three-pointer Ervin De Guzman.
No other player from Cement Mixers finished in double digits aside from Moriel Lumba, who had 10 points off the bench, but their efforts were enough to fend of Nexus.
John Bul-anon accounted for 17 points for Nexus Technology, which continued its winless run with a 0-3 record.
Artesyn also kept Emerson Power without a win three outings while improving to 1-2 with an 87-53 rout.
Roberto Carlos sizzled with 26 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists while Jay-R Aguilar and Lloyd Saravillo chipped in for 27 points combined.
Only Alex Dizon finished with 17 points and 15 rebounds in a losing effort for Emerson Power.
