JC2 went through the proverbial eye of the needle anew but managed to win for the second straight game to stay unbeaten capped by a tense 86-82 win over Tito Rex’s Firewire even as Exile survived a gritty Lancaster squad, 88-84, to make it to the win column of the V-Cup 40-and-Up Legends Tournament at the Brgy. West Rembo Gym.
Playing without its main man up front, Mark Isip, who joined the Far Eastern University Tamaraws in their training camp in the United States as part of the team’s coaching staff, JC2 found the needed resources from guards Jay Sierra and Jojo Cunanan as well as Archei Amascual.
Sierra pumped in 18 points, to go along with five steals and two steals as JC2’s team captain was a picture of consistency all game long.
Cunanan set the tone early for the team’s early breakaway, including three triples right in the opening period. He finished the game with 13 points.
Amascual chipped in 14 points as JC2 collectively hit 50.8% from the field (31-of-61).
Exile bounced back strong from an opening-day setback, but not after outlasting Lancaster, which nearly pulled off a come-from-behind victory.
A three-point shot from international veteran campaigner Ricky Ricafuente gave Lancaster its first taste of the lead with a pulled up three-point basket that shoved his team on top, 84-83, with still 54.9 seconds in the game.
But that proved to be the last moment for Lancaster to celebrate as Banzali and company forced their rivals to a spate of turnovers and in return, scored five straight points to avert the possibility of losing two in a row this early part of the tournament.
