By CYRUS M. GARDE
BACOLOD City — Nhojs Sportswear and Philmico/Salto won their initial matches in the Fil-Sino Inter-Company Fellowship Cup at the Po Hang Gym of Bacolod Tay Tung High School.
Nhojs escaped Marby Arcade La Salle, 84-83, while Philmico/Salto defeated 365 Fuelstar, 77-71.
Come-backing Bobil Alagaban knocked down the winning free throw for Nhojs with .3 seconds left to complete the come from behind victory.
Marby was enjoying a 10-point lead at the start of the fourth quarter, but Ralph Richard Tan knocked down back-to-back triples to cut the lead to 69-66.
Marby’s Jappy Cuaycong connects with two triples with Mark Binguan’s four points, and Tan hit another triple to remain on top, 79-77.
Alagaban hit a triple and Arnol Laureño gave Nhojs a 3-point lead.
Cuaycong’s triple tied Monday’s game at 82 all.
Offensive foul cost Marby the win in the last .9 seconds, as Alagaban drove and fouled. He converted his free throws.
Chris Javelosa paced Nhojs with 21 points. Tan added 15, while Nico Lopingco, Alagaban, and Laureño scored 12 points each.
Binguan led Marby with 22 points; Cuaycong added 19; Ritchie Militante, nine; Joseph Tiu and Rey Pandoro, eight apiece; Derek Sibug and Pao Pao Lim, six each.
In the other game, 365 Fuelstar took the half at 46-40, but sputtered their offense in the second half.
Philmico managed to cut the lead, 59-58, going to the fourth quarter.
Although it missed a lot in the ensuing play, the balanced attack put up by its players carried the team to victory.
RB Chua and Dr. Emil Guanzon scored 16 points apiece, Chibon Uy added 12, Brian Coo shot 11, and Badong Eufre gave seven.
Clarence Quingco top-scored for 365 Fuelstar with 14 points.
Livingstone Ang and Robbie Jalando-on dropped 12 each; Yan Yan Dy, eight; and Jose Miguel Montinola, seven./PN
