THE Leo Avenido-led Skyforce emerged as the early leader with two wins in as many games in the opening week of the 2013 Danny Espiritu Cup.
Skyforce beat Expert Global Solutions, 93-76, in the opener before defeating new team GlobalPort, 93-83, at the Treston College gym in Taguig City.
Avenido scored 16 points to help Skyforce overcome an early double-digit deficit against GlobalPort, composed mainly of its PBA team staff.
Floyd Dedicatoria added 15 markers for Skyforce, which fell to Mighty in last year's title match of the tournament named after sports agent Espiritu.
Skyforce trailed by 12 points in the first period but managed to douse GlobalPort's hot shooting and take over for good in the second half.
GlobalPort, which uncorked 12 triples, rallied in the payoff period and got to within 76-84 on a Glen Capacio trey but Skyforce was quick to retaliate and stretched the lead to 17 with barely two minutes to play.
Allan Gamboa led GlobalPort with 17 points while Erwin Sta. Maria had 14 and Franz Bercede added 13.
The scores:
First game
Skyforce 93 - Avenido 16, Dedicatoria 14, Sotto 10, Caceles 9, Sanders 8, Enrile 8, Capistrano 8, Sta. Maria 7, Allera 5, Vergara 4, Misolas 2, Tan 2, Visacarra 0, Salansang 0, Sta Cruz 0.
EGS 76 - Caspe 16, Catamora 10, Valena 10, Kalaw 10, Ranises 8, Arias 8, Sigua 5, Feliciano 4, Roda 3, Catamora A. 2, De Vera 0, Milano 0, Lanzar 0, McCoy 0
Second game
Skyforce 93 - Avenido 16, Dedicatoria 15, Sotto 14, Sanders 11, Allera 8, Viscarra 8, Vergara 6, Enrile 6, Sta. Cruz 4, Tan 3, Sta. Maria 2, Misolas 0.
GlobalPort 83 - Gamboa 17, Sta. Maria 14, Bercede 13, Capacio 12, Arejola 8, Manalo 8, Adducul 5, Tenerepe 3, Bernal 3, Gavina 0, Tiamson 0.
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