PC Gilmore held Freego scoreless in the final three minutes and the Wizards beat the Falcons, 81-72, on Tuesday to notch its first win in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) D-League Foundation Cup at the Adamson gym.
Carlo Lastimosa had 20 points, including five in a telling 11-0 finish to snatch the win away from the Falcons, who played in their own court. Lastimosa also had three rebounds, three assists and two steals in an all-around performance for Wizards coach Richard Del Rosario.
The Wizards took their first win after a 76-72 opening-day loss to RnW Pacific Pipes on March 12.
"We were really organized in this game compared to our first game," said Del Rosario. "We really didn't want to play in the opening game because we were formed barely a week before that. But the 17-day break really helped us in our chemistry."
Eric Camson and Jan Colina had 15 points each, but the Falcons could not maintain their double-digit lead late in the game.
Camson hit a short stab to push Freego back on top, 72-70, at the 2:45 mark, but that was the last time the Falcons tasted the lead as John Agas scored on a fastbreak play, followed by Lastimosa's five-point string capped by a three-pointer to give the Wizards a 77-72 advantage with 52.6 ticks left.
"We really tried to shut down their shooters kasi gym nila ito," said Del Rosario.
The Falcons remain the only winless team in Group A with a 0-2 card.
In the first game, Max! Bond Super Glue also claimed its first win via an 83-62 thumping of Cafe France.
Rudy Lingganay, who played for the KL Dragons in the recent ASEAN Basketball League season, scored 23 points to go with his six assists and four rebounds to lead the Sumos.
"Nagkaroon na kami ng composure at patience sa game na ito unlike noong last game namin na nagkanya-kanya sila," said Max! Bond Super Glue coach Pido Jarencio.
The Sumos improved to 1-1 after an 82-71 opening-game loss to Maynilad on March 22.
Cafe France remained winless in two games to join Junior Powerade at the cellar in Group B.
Reuben Terrado, GMA News TV
