RG Purefoods finally overcame its end-game jitters, coming up with a 116-108 triumph over YBAC Monday night in the 6th Tan Kek Pin Cup Memorial Basketball Tournament at the Po Hang Gym in Bacolod City.

Arlan Lazaga nailed three free throws in the final minute to preserve the win, RG's first in five games. YBAC remained winless in the16-team tournament.

Purefoods, which lost its previous four games by 10 points or less, actually scored its final 17 points from the free throw line as YBAC launched a final-quarter run that trimmed the gap, 112-108, with 30 seconds left, before Lazaga, who finished with 13 points, nailed his charity shots.

In the second game, New ST Marketing posted its third win in four games, following a 103-76 rout of BIR Rentas Knights.

New ST frolicked early on, forcing turnovers with their vaunted full-court press as Jorge Vincent Lim., Dominic Ciocon, Tubby Villanueva and Daniel Chiu joined hands to build a 58-37 lead at halftime. But the Knights clawed their way back with Glenn Monteposo and Toto Mijares scoring 16 and 15 points in the third quarter, before ST finally put them away by dominating the boards that led to easy fast-break points.

RG turned a 50-44 halftime deficit to a 91-67 lead going to the fourth period as Jeffrey Caratao exploded for 17 of his 20 points in the third period.

Adding to YBAC's woes in the third quarter was the injury to Jay Togle that forced YBAC to play with four players in the quarter since the passarelle rule states that no substitution will be allowed because of injuries in the first three frames.

Richard Ochida contributed 14 points for RG, while Roel Villarosa added 13. Dante Gabales and Romeo Rojo scored 12 and 11, respectively, even as Jose Abanilla Conrado Rojo and Biboy rivera chipped in 6 each.

Pacing YBAC's losing cause were Ariston Sillana and Insik Smalley with 24 and 15 points, respectively. Veteran Doods Siopan added 10, as teammates Don Suarez and Koko Rodrigo combined for 17 points.

Lim topcored for New ST with 15 points, while Julius Teruel made 12. Te Espejo, Villanueva and Chiu had 8 for New ST that placed itself in a good position heading into the quarterfinals with the victory over BIR.

Meanwhile, the top four teams in Bracket B part ways today with Krua Thai (4-1) taking on BBC(2-1), before Magnolia(5-0) battles Probac(3-1). *CPT

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