Billones leads Sealions, Viernes lifts MOB in 2013 Danny Espiritu Cup

MANILA, Philippines – Point guards Egay Billones and Jeff Viernes shone for their respective teams in the 2013 Danny Espiritu Basketball Cup.

The 37-year-old Billiones, the sixth overall pick by Barangay Ginebra in the 2000 PBA Draft, seemed to have not lost his touch as he put up 22 points and 11 rebounds to lead Sealions past Globalport, 100-87, at Makati Coliseum last week.

Gilbert Malabanan, also an ex-PBA player, chipped in 21 points for Sealions, who erased a 13-point deficit in the first quarter and never relented for its second straight win in as many starts.

In the second game, Jeff Viernes nailed the game-winning basket on a fastbreak play with 16 seconds left to push MOB Alliance past reigning titlist Mighty Sports, 71-70.

Viernes, who recently starred in the PBA D-League with Boracay Rum, topscored with 17 points, along with four rebounds and five assists for MOB Alliance, which also improved to 2-0.
The scores:

First game
Sealions 100 — Billones 22, Malabanan 21, Asoro 13, Zagala 12, Garrido 10, Martinez 9, Alfao 7, Solis 3, Raymundo 2, Alfad 1.
Globalport 87 — Sta. Maria 33, Gamboa 22, Gavina 9, Baculi 8, Arejola 8, Bercede 5, Capacio 2, Colina 0.
Quaters: 17-30, 48-44, 69-63, 100-87.
Second game
MOB 71 — Viernes 17, Custodio 14, Maconocido 10, Melencio 10, Montilla 8, Cornjeco 4, Tajonera 4, Reyes 4, Sarangay 0, Acosta 0, Liaz 0, Corpuz 0.
Mighty 70 — Franco 17, Celiz 15, Marquez 12, Acibar 8, Manuel 4, Lozada 3, Ferrer 3, Gamboa 2, Francisco 2, Evangelista 2, Colina 2, Dimaunahan 0.
Quarters: 13-22, 29-38, 51-58, 71-70.