NAT Cosejo hit a crucial free throw in the endgame as Sta. Rosa Laguna pulled off a thrilling 68-65 victory over Boracay last Monday night in the Manila Bankers Life-Pilipinas Super League Pro Division Second Conference Dumper Cup at the Central Recreational Facility in New Era, Quezon City.
After Cosejo’s free throw, Sta. Rosa forced former PBA MVP Jayjay Helterbrand to miss his last-gasp triple try at the buzzer.
J-Boy Solis fired 12 points, hauled down three rebounds, and issued two assists for the Lions, while Cosejo added 11 markers and five boards.
Val Acuna also had 10 points and three rebounds as Sta. Rosa followed up a 92-74 rout of Bagong Cabuyao-Homelab Nation last Feb. 4 and raised its mark to 8-2 for solo third in the cage wars presented by Dumper party-list, Winzir, and Skin Care Depot.
The stinging loss ended the Islanders’ six-game winning run, counting an 80-71 triumph over Nueva Ecija last Jan. 30 and slipped to 7-5.
In the other game, 1Munti blasted San Pedro Laguna-ARS 98-72 for its second straight triumph.
Domark Matillano tallied 22 points and 11 caroms for the Emeralds, while Francis Camacho had 21 markers.
Mac Montilla scored 13, while John Cantimbuhan and Harold Arboleda also combined for 23 points as 1Munti improved to 3-7.
The Warriors dropped to 2-9.
Damian Lasco paced Boracay with 19 points and four rebounds, while Mac Cardona and Jaymar Gimpayan got 12 and 10 markers, respectively.
Jan Formento was the lone bright spot for San Pedro with 13 points.
