Former Cesafi star shines for Sta. Lucia

FORMER Cesafi Rookie-MVP Wowie Escosio flirted with a double-double as he tallied 19 points and nine boards to help Sta. Lucia come away with a 77-71 win over Supremo Lex in the Philippine Commercial Basketball League Founders Cup at the Arena in San Juan.
Sta. Lucia led by as many as 15 points but just like in its first game, where it led by 20 but still got beaten by Racal Kama Motors, it collapsed down the stretch only for Escosio, the Cesafi’s only rookie to win both Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player trophies in the same season while playing for the University of the Visayas, to rescue the team with a crucial three-point play that preserved the victory.
In the other game, Caida Tile Masters continued its winning ways with a 94-82 victory over Jumbo Plastic.
The Tile Masters flexed their muscles from the get-go, and were able to dictate the tempo behind Billy Robles, who fueled their transition attack.
Robles knocked in 19 points, including 11 in the fourth period as the Tile Masters outran their rivals, scoring 19 points in transition compared to only four from Jumbo Plastic. Dexter Marquez added 14 markers while sharpshooting Ford Ruaya contributed 10 for the Mike Bunedia-mentored Caida squad, which grabbed the early solo lead with a 2-0 record. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio