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Unity Cup's Game 2 Performers
By Jonas Terrado (May 31, 2009)

Top Performers

5. Jerwin Gaco (Oracle) - The bruising big man led the way for the Titans with 18 points and 11 rebounds after a normal effort in the series opener. He made his presence felt against the Pharex frontline in a physical encounter but the lack of support from Rico Maierhofer and Edwin Asoro put Gaco's effort in vain.

4. Rob Labagala (Oracle) - Labagala had 10 points, eight of which in the second quarter, as the former UE Red Warrior led a short run by the Titans. Unfortunately, they lost steam in the second half and trailed by a game-high of 22 points.

3. Chris Ross (Pharex) - The Best Player of the Conference has finally showed up in the PBL finals. After a disappearing act in Game 1, Ross rediscovered his active play with 11 points, nine rebounds, eight assists and six steals in 33 minutes.

2. Josh Urbiztondo (Pharex) - Seldom-used for most of the season-ending conference, the Fil-am point guard became a blessing in disguise for Pharex in Game 2. In 13 minutes off the bench, Urbiztondo unleashed 14 points on 5-of-10 shooting to surprise Oracle. He made seven straight points in a 9-2 windup to give the Bidang Generix a 34-26 lead at the half then continued his scoring onslaught in the second half to complete the rout.

1. Ian Saladaga (Pharex) - Following a 15-point effort in Game 1, the former star of the University of San Jose Recoletos in Cebu's top collegiate league CESAFI followed it up with a strong performance with 18 points and 10 rebounds. He shot 3-of-7 triples and was a key contributor in the Bidang Generix huge third quarter explosion.

Honorable Mention: Benedict Fernandez (Oracle), Raymund Aguilar (Pharex), Don Villamin (Pharex)

Not-so-top Performers

5. John Wilson (Oracle) - With Barroca out in Japan to play with the RP developmental squad, it was supposed to be an opportunity for Wilson to show his wares. Unfortunately, he didn't took advantage of his five minutes and went scoreless.

4. Chris Timberlake (Oracle) - He almost equaled his numbers in Game 1 after making nune points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals. But Timberlake was outplayed by the backcourt duo of Ross and Urbiztondo on both ends.

3. Francis Allera (Pharex) - He was scoreless in 27 minutes and missed all of his three attempts from the three-point arc. Good thing for Allera, the reserves delivered to defeat Oracle in Game 2.

2. Ronnie Matias (Pharex) - Following a career-high 28 points and 12 rebounds in Game 1, Matias was held to just nine points and three rebounds. Worse, he got tossed out in the third quarter following his second technical foul.

1. Rico Maierhofer (Oracle) - Sure Maierhofer got a conference-high 18 rebounds but he was hardly a factor offensively with only six points on 2-of-9 shooting. The lanky big man had a frustrating afternoon against the Pharex frontline.

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