PBL: Fern-C finally gets into win column

Fern-C finally got to display endgame poise as the rookie team ended a three-game losing skid with an 81-78 victory over FCA-ANI Agrinurture in Tuesday’s PBL PG Flex Erase Placenta Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City. Veteran Anthony Espiritu made a crucial triple while June Dizon made a defensive stop and John Wilson secured the victory with a free throw as the Ferntastics survived losing a 13-point lead (58-45) in the third period and barged into the win column in this eight-team league.

“Ite-treasure ko itong unang panalo ko at kung pwede makakuha ng kopya ng game [tape] pahingi ha," jokingly said rookie coach Bal David. Turning serious, he said that the all-important win gave his team the needed momentum in its campaign. He also praised the performance of his players, who he feels are slowly learning to play as a unit. “May kaunti ng chemistry sa team. Pero marami pang dapat na gawin like dagdagan ang focus especially sa third quarter na kung saan nagko-collapse kami. Pero mahalaga itong panalong ito dahil may momentum na ang team at sana madagdagan pa," added David. Wilson again led his team with 29 points on 10 of 20 shooting from the field, aside from grabbing nine boards. He scored 16 points in the first quarter to lead Fern-C to a 26-14 advantage and capped his exploits with six crucial markers in the last period. “Wala tayong masasabi sa ipinakikita ni John. Manalo o matalo kay John talaga kami pupunta. Medyo kulang pa siya sa maturity, patience at kung paano i-involve pa ang kanyang teammates pero pinag-aaralan na niya ito. Sina Kobe (Bryant) at (Michael) Jordan, kinailangan din nilang mag-aral sa laro at ganito ang ginagawa ni John at dapat na suportahan," said David. Dizon added 15 points but it was his tough defense on James Sena that greatly aided the team. Dizon forced the 6’5" FCA-ANI center to muff a short range jumper in the final 20.3 seconds that hurt the Cultivators’ bid for their first win after a 0-2 start. With the Cultivators threatening, Espiritu faked off his guard Luanzon and nailed a crucial triple to give the Fernstastics an 80-78 lead with 1:50 remaining. Despite having enough time to equalize or retake the lead, the Cultivators failed to capitalize on the situation, throwing the ball over in two possessions before Sena missed a tough shot against the defense of Dizon. Edgar Tanuan added 11 points for Fern-C while Espiritu finished with nine, all from the three-point range. Sena came off the bench and tallied 18 points to lead four Cultivators in double digits. – GMANews.TV