MANILA, Philippines — Macau came out smoking in the second half as it mowed down Titan Ultra, 131-126 to finally register its first win in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The Giant Pandas fell early by 19 points, but methodically cut the Giant Risers down to size behind a 44-27 third quarter exchange to grab a 95-94 lead.
The huge third quarter surge injected the much-needed confidence for Macau, which leaned on the steady offense provided by import Da’Vondre Perry, Ramon Cao and Kobey Lam to end its four-game losing skid to start the conference.
The win mirrored the Giant Pandas’ effort on April 21, when they registered a 119-107 victory against the Giant Risers during their elimination round tussle at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Macau ties Titan Ultra at Group A with similar 1-4 records.
The loss denied the Giant Risers a chance to score consecutive wins this conference since coming off a 103-86 rout of the defending champions TNT Tropang 5G.
Perry led Macau with 32 points and 21 rebounds, Cao finished with 28 and 13, while Jenning Leung 22.
Damian Chongqui and Kobey Lam, who had a hand in Macau’s third quarter offense, chipped in 19 each.
Tirell Brown led the Giant Risers with 30 points and 14 rebounds.
