Pacman Warriors buckle under pressure, lose to Mandaue

Sunstar-Cebu
September 17, 2007

The Cebu Landmasters-Mandaue may still be groping for form, but that did not stop them from pulling the first win of the conference as they defeated the MP Warriors-GenSan, 80-78, in the opening day of the 2007 MVBA Second Conference at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex yesterday.

In a classic game that was witnessed by a huge crowd, probably the biggest since the days of the defunct Mandaue Industrial Commercial Athletic Association (Micaa), the Landmasters escaped from the hard fighting Warriors, which was boosted by the presence of its team owner Manny Pacquiao and his brothers Bobby and Ruel.

The Landmasters’ win was not certain until Apol Coronado missed all three free throws with 1.8 seconds left in the game after he was fouled by Richard Ian Saladaga at the three-point line.

Coronado, a sweet shooting wingman, largely responsible for the Warriors comeback by scoring two triples and an undergoal stab in the fourth cracked under pressure that eventually cost the MP Warriors the precious win.

Pressure

“I could not believe I missed the shot. But honestly, I felt too much pressure on my free throws. My shots were strong and I wanted to focus on my shots it fell way off the mark,” Coronado told reporters after the game.

The Mandaue City-based squad was threatening to pull away 68-60 when Jomer Rubi, Coronado, Arian Daja and Weng Farochillen pulled the Warriors hard by combining for four triples and two point-blank shots that moved the visiting team within 76-77 with 2:00 remaining.

Mark Yee, who scored 13 points for the Landmasters, answered with a jumper at the return play 20 seconds later.

Balong Ramos brought back the Warriors within one, 78-79, with two free throws and the Warriors had the chance to reclaim the lead after Mike Mañigo was called for a traveling violation on the Landmasters’ possession.

However, a miscommunication on the part of Rubi and Coronado at the Warrior’s end led to the split charity of Yee in the final 7.6 seconds of the game for an 80-78 Landmasters lead.

Cebu Landmasters (80)—Yee 13, Saladaga 12, Manigo 11, Torion 9, Gloria 9, Marata 9, Nicdao 8, Sta. Cruz 4.
MP-GenSan (78)—Menor 21, Farochillen 9, Ramos 8, Coronado 8, Medalla 6, Daja 6, Recustodio 5, Tadena 5, Locsin 4, Callo 3, Rubi 3. Quarters: 15-15; 44-36; 64-54; 80-78. (RCM)