PBA: Duremdes leads Stalwarts past Greats in All-Star exhibition game

Kenneth Duremdes rung in the go-ahead three in the final two minutes to lead the Stalwarts past the Greats, 112-105, Friday in Digos City, Davao del Sur, as part of the 2013 PBA All-Star Weekend. 

 

The playing coach also earned best player of the game honors with 19 points, eight rebounds, and three assists. 

 

The Stalwarts started hot, peppering the stat sheet with 35 points in the first while limiting the Greats to 21. In the second, the Greats gained some ground, slashing the lead to 11, 62-51.

 

The Greats completed their comeback in the third, as a Mark Barroca buzzer-beating trey gave them a four-point advantage heading into the fourth, 88-84.

 

Miller opened up the payoff period with a three, but Barroca was there to re-establish a three-point spread, 90-87. Rodney Santos hit a corner three with eight and a half remaining, while Mike Cortez split from the line, 95-87.

 

A turnover by the Greats led to a Ronald Tubid quick three to inch the Stalwarts closer, but Santos would drive for two more, 97-90. Another turnover by the Greats led to one more trey by Tubid, but Jerry Codiñera hit a fadeaway at the other end, 99-93.

 

A Tubid one on one move against Cortez cut the lead to five. He would hit another three to cut the lead to one with less than five minutes remaining, 99-98.

 

Topex Robinson missed an easy layup from Kenneth Duremdes, as Joe Devance scored at the other end. But a Jervy Cruz stick back of a Duremdes attempt made it a one-point game.

 

An airball from beyond the arc from Robinson led to a Barroca layup, stretching the lead to three with less than three minutes remaining, but the persistent Tubid got one from under the basket, 103-102.

 

Robinson completed a steal, leading to a Duremdes trey on the break to give the Stalwarts the lead right at the last two minute warning. Willie Miller followed it up with a drive, 107-103, with 1:49 remaining.

 

Bong Hawkins missed his version of the three at the other end, as Cruz stuck in a short jumper. PJ Simon was a recipient of a dime from Hawkins at the other end, but an offensive rebound by Cruz after a Tubid miss led to a Miller jumper, 112-105 for the Stalwarts, with 13.4 remaining.

 

The Greats tried to get a quick three at the other end, but Paul Lee missed his try to hand the Stalwarts the victory. - RAF, GMA News