PBL: Comets torch Raiders, Harbour scores

Resurging Mail and More Comets had steadier nerves in the homestretch to outlast the hard-fighting Bacchus Energy Drink Raiders, 80-77, for their third straight win in the 2008 PBL V-GO Extreme Energy Drink Cup Saturday at the Arena in San Juan. The Comets improved to 3-3, tied with idle Toyota Balintawak Roadkings in third place. Khiel Misa again saved the day for the Comets, nailing a highly contested corner trey for a 75-72 Mail and More lead, 58.7 seconds left. In the ensuing play, the Comets forced a turnover, paving the way for Nestor David's fastbreak basket that kept the Raiders at bay. "The boys deserve to win because they dug deep within themselves and executed big plays at the right time," Comets coach Allan Gregorio said. Bacchus's JR de la Cruz converted his own triple with 4.7 seconds remaining to make it at 77-79, but Misa sealed the deal on the other end to salvage the win. UE hotshot Marcy Arellano paced the Comets with a game-high of 22 points, while David and Misa pitched in 17 and 11 markers, respectively. Earlier, defending champions Harbour Centre Batang Pier stormed their rivals all game long in an 86-63 trampling of the San Mig Coffee Kings. The UAAP triumvirate of Dylan Ababou, Rico Maierhofer and Edwin Asoro fired on all cylinders in the second canto for a mind-boggling 20-5 run to give Harbour a commanding 44-23 lead at the half that turned out to be for good. "The best way for us to come back is to win this game," Harbour Coach Jorge Gallent said. "We played good for the whole 40 minutes." La Salle teammates Maierhofer and Ty Tang starred for Harbour with 13 points apiece, while Ababou and Sol Mercado added 12 markers each. - GMANews.TV