DOHA: TCC Stars-Gerry’s Grill took solo charge after their second successive win by routing CEG International-Ertibat, 85-63, in the ongoing elimination rounds of Travelex Cup 2013 of Pinoy Basketball Qatar (PIBAQ) at Al Gharafa Sports Hall.
Former Philippine collegiate star Francis Mercado was unstoppable with 33 big points and 13 boards to power TCC Stars in dominating a double-digit edge in most of the game periods.
Former RP Men’s National Youth star Jason Tiongson of CEG International was sidelined with an injury at the height of the crucial period.
In the other game, Mindoro Spartans survived a heart-pumping win over Gilas Nahkowh, 75-73, after big man Poldong Rodriguez converted a buzzer-beating jumper with a second left in the game to steer the Spartans to victory.
The game was tied at 73-all with six seconds left and Gilas Nahkowh was heading for a win with an inbound by Crisler Icaro from the left side of the court that allowed Rodriguez to steal the ball, who passed it to Michael Paderes and drop passed it back to Rodriguez for the winning jump shot.
In the third game of Division 2, LBC Kentz was dominating all throughout of the game to dump Power Horse Energy Drink with a wide 33-point margin at 103-70.
With still 1:12 minutes left the losing team already thrown in the towel to surrender.
In the Non PIBAQ games, Pampanga handily won with a 29-point edge over Arab Engineering Bureau 74-45, TFCMI won over MCM 77-57 while Kalev team won a tight game over Smeet Pre Cast 56-52.
THE PENINSULA
