TEAM PACMAN WINS FIVE-GAME HOOP SERIES VS. CEBU MEDIA
By Emmanuel B. Villaruel
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 17 Sep 2007
Team Pacman reasserted its supremacy over the DuraBEND-sponsored Cebu Sports Media Association (CSMA) Hoopsters with a convincing 94-82 victory in the finale of their five-game basketball exhibition series yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.
Team Pacman of boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao clinched the series with a 3-1-1 win-loss-draw record.
The Cebu Media cagers, however, could still hold their heads up high for putting up a gallant stand despite playing with an undermanned crew in the previous two games.
In Game 5, the Cebu Media side fought with only seven players and seemed ready to go for the series-tying victory when it took a 37-36 advantage at the end of the first half.
The Cebu Media mainstays, however, ran of gas in the final half, allowing Team Pacman to take complete control of the match the rest of the way behind the explosive outside sniping of Jingjing Rama and Bobby Pacquiao, who both finished with 17 markers.
Curiously all 15 players Pacman fielded in scored.
Rama rifled three straight triples, while BobPac banged in seven points in a crushing 24-14 endgame blow that sent the Cebu Media dribblers reeling at the final buzzer.
"I'm very happy that my team was able to play with the Cebu Media and we enjoyed it a lot," said Manny Pacquiao, who played a key role in their 75-72 and 102-93 in Games 1 and 2, respectively.
Pacquiao's 30-point show, however, was spoiled when Cebu Media hit back at Team Pacman in Game 3, 95-91. Game 4 ended up in a 95-all draw. Pacquiao did not play in Games 4 and 5, heeding the advice of his trainer Freddie Roach for him to refrain from engaging in any physical activity that may cause him injury.
Pacquiao, who rushed to the Coliseum after hearing mass and being prayed over by the Oasis of Love lay ministers led by Bro. Nonito "Dodong" Limchua at the CCTN-47 Chapel, was grinning ear-to-ear while receiving their championship trophy from MVBA Mindanao Division commissioner and former pro star Willie Generalao.
Jonas Panerio of Cebu Daily News topscored for Cebu Media with 27 points spiked with five triples followed by Manny Villaruel of The Freeman with 26 markers.
The Cebu Media cagers extended their profound thanks to Cebu City Councilor Raul "Yayoy" D. Alcoseba and sports patron Archt. Alan Choachuy of DuraBEND and Big Al's Production for their all-out support that largely contributed to the success of the memorable event.
The scores
Team Pacman (94) - J. Rama 19, B. Pacquiao 19, Eduave 12, Rama 9, W. Panerio 8, Joson 6, Bubuli 6, M. Panerio 6, D. Pacquiao 4, J. Bubuli 4, N. Panerio 3, Kakilala 3, Fernandez 2, Egpyt 1
Cebu Media (82) - Panerio 27, Villaruel 26, Pages 8, Aznar 7, Lirazan 6, Partosa 6, Choachuy 3
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Emmanuel B. Villaruel.
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