Physiotherapy of Edgar Jimenez and Ariel Dizon marched to itsr seventh win after prevailing over Catering-Fire Department while Prince Sultan Nursing and External Maintenance beat their opponents during the eighth week of action in the 2nd PSMMC-Sports Affair Basketball Club (SABC) Inter-Department Basketball tournament at the Prince Sultan Military Medical City Skydome basketball court here.

The Therapists overcame the strong challenge of powerhouse Catering-Fire of Gerry Roc to narrowly win 76-75.

Catering-Fire Department took control of the first two quarters at 15-14 and 34-29 with both teams exchanging leads with series of deadlocks converting most of their points from fast break plays.

Rookie Dennis Suare, Mitchelle Lacap, Julian Rodriguez, Lito Manalo and Neljun Abacial led Coach Dizon’s stable to tie at 54 at the end of the third period.

In the dying seconds, Rommuel Alega converted a basket and gave the chance to lead by one point 75-74. With four seconds to play, Suare quickly retaliated to score from a fast break which was too late for their opponent to highlight this win in their favor. Suare for his 18 points, 3 assists, 8 rebounds and 1 still record was chosen the best player of the match.

Prince Sultan Nursing of Arnie Sajor proved the better team over Rehab Nursing 90-66. The winning team closed the first half ahead by 9 points and defended the paint well with center-forward Lemuel Rafanan blocking 3 shots and with the help of other tall players Rey Zornosa, Regie Figueras and Dr. Ayman Ahmed outrebounded the Rehab Nursing’s smaller but faster lineup which resulted in a 62-43 lead at the end of the third quarter to PS Nursing. Zornosa and Ligan were awarded the best players in this game.

PSCC Housekeeping suffered another blow courtesy of defending champion External Maintenance of Regie Salonga. The Housekeeping closed the initial period with a hairline margin 22-21 but with the solid defense played by Leonel Arpon, Nonong Walid, Erwin Vergara, Andrew Loremia and Berney Abdurahim reversed the momentum to their advantage to lead by 2 points 45-43 at the first half close. The Housekeeping led by the trio of Ernie Laurea, Ronie Balancio and Manuel Rabulan used furious rally to come close and took the driver’s seat with 8 points advantage 72-64 at the third quarter close. But External Maintenance cagers stayed solid and held their opponents at bay to win by 17 points 94-77.

The sponsors of this tournament are Mobily Mabuhay, Enjaz, Western Union, PAG-IBIG Funds and Systagenix.

In other games, Portering tasted victory at the expense of PSCC Cath Lab 85-82, Zahran Housekeeping downed Zahran Maintenance 86-74 while the Laundry Department outplayed Prosthetics 79-71.

The sponsors of this tournament are Mobily Mabuhay, Enjaz, Western Union, PAG-IBIG Funds and Systagenix.

Selected scores:

Physiotherapy (76) M. Lacap 22, D. Suare 18, N. Abacial 13, L. Manalo 12, J. Rodriguez 4, E. Columbres 2, D. Mapa 2, C. Burgos 2, M. Abdullah 1 Catering / Fire Dept. (75) J. Camins 18, R. Alega 14, P. Merquita 14, R. Fabregas 13, J. Rapsing 10, J. Alcos 6

Prince Sultan Nursing (90) F. Ligan 25, L. Baroma 19, R. Zornosa 16, V. Yabut 11, E. Abanes 7, F. Albances 5, A. Ahmed 4, R. Figueras 2, L. Rafanan 1 Rehab Nursing (66) M. Bernardino 19, M. Ramos 18, A. Natividad 13, J. Wijangco 7, V. Hernandez 7, J. Credo 2