GRT keeps solo lead in BBA-Rama basketball

TEAM GRT nipped Titans, 77-75, Thursday night to log its fifth straight win and strengthen its hold of the lead in the Buhisan Basketball Association (BBA)-2013 Mayor Mike Rama Cup basketball tournament at the Buhisan Sports Complex.

GRT trailed 13-22 in the first quarter and 40-30 at the half but rallied in the third by outscoring the Titans, 22-16 to close the gap at 52-56 behind Richard Lopez and Alex Ardiente.

Gene Tabar’s triple in the final 1:50 preserved the Titans’ five-point lead, 68-63 in the fourth but GRT’s Ramir Taboada and Ekis Villacorte canned crucial baskets to close in at, 70-71 with 48 seconds remaining.

GRT then steadied at endgame and outscored the Titans, 7-4 for the two-point victory which effectively preserved its unbeaten record.

Richard Lopez and Alex Ardiente paced GRT with a game-high 19 and 17 points, respectively while Noel Dela Cerna, Gene Tabar and Ramirez backed them up with a combined 38-point effort.

Ramir Taboada paced the Titans with 16 points while Junie Artiaga and Ekis Villacorta combined for 26 markers.

BOX SCORES

GRT (77)- Lopez 19, Ardiente 17, Dela Cerna 14, Tabar 12, Ramirez 12, Acojedo 2.

TITANS (75)- Taboada 16, Villacorte 13, Artiaga 13, Castro 11, Lavandero 8, Caballero 8, Cañada 4, Bagalanon 2. /Correspondent Dale Rosal