Eswar’s Christian Morit (No.19) and Pish Payter’s JR Sumaguit (No.2) go for ball possession in this bit of action in the 2015 Philippine Sport Association-Crosstown Auto Centre Spring Basketball League, Saturday, at the Fr.Michael Troy gym. Eswar won, 93-88.(Photo by Moses Billacura/pinoy edmonton news)

Pish Payter squanders 12-point lead to lose

By Moses Billacura

Pish Payter built a 12-point lead but lost its steam in the last eight minutes and 21 seconds to bow down to Team Eswar, 88-93 in the 2015 Philippine Sport Association-Crosstown Auto Centre Spring Basketball League held over the weekend at the Fr.Michael Troy gym.

JR Sumaguit and Brian Leyte led the assault to give Pish Payter the advantage, 63-60, 12:13 left and extended it to 12 points, however, Team Eswar coach Joseph Sumalinog came up with better plays to cut their rival’s lead to just two, 78-76, thanks to the hot-shooting Christian Morit who buried his eighth three-point shot, 5:49 remaining.

Eswar’s Christian Zion tied the game, 78-all, 4:58 left with an undergoal stab but Pish Payter’s Sumaguit and Leyte took charge again to retake the lead, 88-83, 2:34 to go.

Newly-recruited point guard Ed Rubi canned in a three-point shot from the top of the key and Eswar came close again, 86-88.

Rubi, nephew of former Philippine Basketball Association point guard Jomer Rubi, equalized the game with a lay-up, 88-88, 1:47 remaining and Zion gave them the lead, 90-88 with 38 seconds left.

Pish Payter called a time out in the last 18 seconds then when game resumed they started giving up fouls until they were in penalty situation hoping that Eswar’s shooters would miss their free throws.

However, Morit, who topscored with 30 points, and Zion made their free throws to secure Eswar’s second victory and hand Pish Payter its first loss in two games.

“Kinabahan talaga ako,” said a joyful team sponsor Alwin “Eswar” Esguerra.

Sumaguit, an awardee in the previous league, led the losing cause for Pish Payter with 31 points.

In the other games, Greatway Financial bounced back with a 74-63 win over the visiting St.Albert GFS; GQ beat Chuloloy, 73-71 and Dirty Dozen defeated Pasaway, 114-50.(p.e.n.)

Eswar’s Oliver Branzuela shoots over JR Sumaguit of Pish Payter in the 2015 Philippine Sport Association-Crosstown Auto Centre Spring League.(Photo by Moses Billacura/pinoy edmonton news)