INQUIRER Sports

MANILA, Philippines?Pharex?s go-to guy played more of a supporting role, but the Maroons showed they had more than enough in their arsenal to lock up the No. 1 spot Tuesday in the PBL PG Flex-Erase Placenta Cup.

The Maroons overcame the furious late rally of the Excelroof 25ers to notch a 74-68 victory and pick up the first twice-to-beat semifinal bonus with a 6-1 record at the FilOil-Flying V Arena in San Juan City.

Woody Co poured in a team-high 14 points and grabbed seven rebounds for the Maroons, who nearly blew a 13-point advantage, 64-51, in the final three minutes.

Mark Lopez also came through with two buffer free throws that gave the Maroons a 71-67 lead with 18.6 seconds left.

?This team is not just about Vic Manuel,? said coach Aboy Castro of Pharex?s 6-foot-4 revelation. ?The whole team carried this team.?

In the other game, Ascof Lagundi kept its own Final Four bid alive following a 78-65 drubbing of Agrinurture-FCA.

The scores:

First Game

PHAREX B COMPLEX 74?Co 14, Lopez 12, Arao 11, Adolfo 10, Manuel 8, David 6, Braganza 5, Reyes E. 4, Tecson 4, Maniego 0, Reyes M. 0.

EXCELROOF 68?Raymundo 17, Aquino 16, Celada 13, Sanggalang 8, Agustin 4, Bagatsing 2, Mendoza 2, Abueva 2,Taylor 2, Bulawan 2, Pascual 0, Delgado 0.

Quarters: 14-4, 29-24, 49-49, 74-68

Second Game

ASCOF LAGUNDI 78?Canlas 22, Gamalinda 15, Uyloan 9, Aguilar 8, Labagala 7, Gerilla 6, Co 3, Bauzon 3, Mazo 3, Leynes 2, Asoro 0, Bustos 0, Lanete 0.

AGRINURTURE-FCS 65?Cagoco 10, Custodio 10, Sena 10, Ong 10, Pascual 8, Gelasque 8, Acosta 3, Pascual 2, Sevilla 2, Flores 2, Lee 0.

Quarters: 29-8, 42-33, 62-48, 78-65