THE CEBU City Sharks-Casino Ethyl Alcohol saw their four-game winning streak snapped after they succumbed to the San Juan Knights, 62-71, in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League Datu Cup on Saturday night at the Filoil Flying V Centre in San Juan City.
The Sharks could not find their bearings in the second, where they got outscored 13-28 to fall behind 27-43 at halftime.
And though they managed to pull to within four in the waning moments of the game, clutch shots by former pro Mark Cardona and Ryan Ayon-Ayon stopped Cebu City in its tracks, pulling its record down to 5-9 (win-loss).
The Knights meanwhile, improved to 11-3.
After trailing by as many as 18, the Sharks made their way back and were within 59-63, after an inside bucket by left-handed big man William McAloney, 3:15 remaining.
But the Knights stayed the course as Cardona pierced Cebu City’s defense with a deuce while Ayon-Ayon sank a jumper that brought their lead back to eight, 67-59 with 1:39 to go.
The loss spoiled McAloney’s 25-point, four-rebound, three-block effort. Patrick Cabahug was the team’s only other double-figure scorer with 11 points.
Cebu City will try to get back on the winning track this Saturday when they battle the Laguna Heroes over at the Hoopsdome in Lapu-Lapu City.