Mitzu Motors survived a late push by Pepsi, 92-87 while Macro Tide bested East West Bank, 89-73 in Class B action of the 10th Tan Kek Pin Cup at NOMPAC Gym Thursday.

Mitzu overcame a first quarter deficit of 24-19 to take a 47-35 halftime lead behind Stephen Barneso’s 9 points and Born Ramos, 8 points.

Only two players scored for Mitzu in the third quarter but it was enough to pad the lead to 67-52. The duo of Marc Lo and Brix Lucenara scored a total of 18 points for the Motor even as Jeremiah Ormeo and Danilo Tenorio delivered 7 and 6 points respectively for Pepsi.

Behind its full court press and offense led by Evan Lanza, Leandro Del Mundo and Daryl De Ramos hitting 11, 9 and 7 points respectively, Pepsi was able to rally in the 4th quarter. Mitzu, limited to two field goals in the quarter and survived the rally of Pepsi by consistently hitting their free throws as they converted 13 free throws in the quarter.

Marc Lo and Stephen Barneso scattered 17 points apiece, Lucenara added 14, Born Ramos had 10 and Randolph Benedicto 7.

JR Gonzaga and Del Mundo contributed 14 points each, Lanza had 13 and De Ramos with 10 points.

In the 2nd game, it was a close game in the first half as Macro Tide took a 20-15 lead in the first quarter, but East West behind its hassle and relentless rebounding grabbed the lead at halftime 37-36.

Pacing east West were Richard Dairo and Edmundo De La Paz 11 points each and Jobert Morante 5. While Tide was led by Alex Soqueño, Vanzant Brizuela and W. with 9, 7 and 6 points respectively.

In the 3rd quarter, Tide stepped up their offense by several notches as four of its players scored 6 points or more in the quarter to pull away and take a 69-50 lead. Kulot Pabiana and Romeo Rojo had 8 points for Tide supported by Ronald Soliza 7 and Gamay Jimenea with 6 points. Chester Golvio scored 7 of the his 13 points for East West in the quarter.

Alex Soqueño poured 17 points for Tide backstopped by Arlan Lazaga and Pabiana with 10 points each, Soliza and Rojo delivered 8 points apiece and Brizuela 7.

Dairo finished with 17 points, De La Paz and Moran-te added 10 points each and Golvio with 7.

Games between PD888 Handy Fix and Toyota CSAB in the first game and UNO-R vs. Province of Negros Occidental in the second game are still playing last night.

Games today features action in Bracket B with undefeated teams BBC and Bapro going up against dangerous opponents. BBC meets Talisay City in the 1st game at 7 pm and Bapro meets Probac in the 2nd game.

Games Sunday will pit Davies/ Willtrade against Nepan Clear at 2PM; 2nd and 3rd game will feature knockout matches of Class A and the winners will advance to the semis. Undefeated teams Fil-Sino Selection and PD888 Resto Bar will play for the leadership in Bracket A in the 4th game.* (CMG)