Kenneth Duremdes drives past a defender. Contributed Photo
MANILA, Philippines – Mighty Sports withstood Sealions’ late rally for a 107-100 win Wednesday in the 2013 Danny Espiritu Cup basketball tournament at Reyes Gym in Mandaluyong.
Mighty Sports allowed Sealions to score 26 points in a span of six minutes in the payoff period, which trimmed its 17-point lead down to four with 42 ticks left.
But PBA legend Kenneth Duremdes, who had 12 points and nine rebounds for Mighty Sports, came through down the stretch with clutch free throws to keep Sealions at bay.
A skirmish even broke out with seven minutes to play which led to the ejection of another PBA veteran Marlou Aquino and Jam Alfad.
Niño Marquez led Mighty Sports, which improved to 2-2, with 22 points including five triples. Edrick Ferrer, who also had crucial FTs, added 20 points.
Meanwhile, undermanned Naughty Needlez finally got its first win in the tournament named after the famous sports agent as it nipped Expert Global Solutions, 69-60.
Vaughn Canta chipped 14 points while James Martinez, Raymond Aguilar and Elvis Tolentino each added 12.
Sealions reeled to its second straight setback for a 3-2 slate while EGS dropped its fourth assignment.
The scores:
First Game
Mighty 107 – Marquez 22, Ferrer 20, Celiz 15, Duremdes 12, Sabelina 11, Francisco 7, Colina 7, Acibar 5, Gamboa 3, Dimaunahan 3, Aquino 2, Evangelista 0, Lozada 0.
Sealions 100 — Zagala 20, Billones 19, Asoro 16, Malabanan 16, Raymundo 10, Junio 5, Garrido 4, Martinez 4, Mabigat 3, Solis 2, Alao 1, Alfad 0, Ricafuente 0.Quarters: 24-17, 48-37, 78-63, 107-100.
Second Game
Naughty Needlez 69 – Canta 14, Tolentino 12, Aguilar 12, Martinez 12, Taupa 9, Garcia 5, Zapata 3, Espinosa 2.
EGS 60 – Catamora 16, Arias 13, Ranises 9, Caspe 8, Roda 6, Valena 2, Siqua 2, Kalawa 2, Feliciano 2, Melano 0, McCoy 0.
Quarters: 17-10, 32-25, 54-42, 69-60.