THE Vice Mayor's Office (VMO) survived a spirited rally by Goldstar Hardware to fashion out a thrilling 92-84 victory in the Liga Dabaw First Conference basketball tournament Saturday night at the Davao City Recreation Center.
Speedy guard Arturo Atablanco bailed his team out of trouble by making big plays down the stretch as the VMO dribblers posted their first win in two outings in the league's commercial division.
Atablanco hit a three-pointer, made one crucial steal and went 6-of-6 from the three throw line to preserve the win after Goldstar rallied to close the gap in the closing minutes of the game.
Atablanco finished with 18 points, the same output of Rodel Bantilan, who scored 12 of his 18 in the first half when VMO took command.
Mico Pacheco top-scored with 24 points for Goldstar, which absorbed its first defeat after winning over CM Farms for a 1-1 slate.
It was a big rebound for VMO after losing heavily in its opening game to Sanman.
VMO led at 81-72 with only three minutes remaining, but Pacheco and Justin Cachuela joined hands as Goldstar trimmed the lead at 77-81, highlighted by a Cachuela 3-point play.
Just as Goldstar was inching closer, Atablanco buried a triple to keep the opposing team at bay, then made a crucial steal under the basket as VMO preserved the lead and was never threatened again. Atablanco capped his late-game heroics by making six pressure-packed free throws.
VMO took the half at 50-37 but Goldstar cut the deficit several times in the third quarter courtesy of Pacheco, who scored 10 points in the period, including back-to-back hits from the rainbow country. The third quarter ended with VMO up by eight, 67-59. (Charles Raymond A. Maxey)
Published in the Sun.Star Davao newspaper on January 24, 2011.
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