By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

SAMAHANG Ilokano at Pangasinense and the PTI Storms secured the last finals tickets in the 2006-2007 Masters Basketball League following their separate wins last Monday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gym.
SIP survived the Old’Aces fourth-quarter rally to post a 90-79 win and move to the finals in the 35-and-up division against the PTI Yankees.
Tony Diaz and Ronald Delos Reyes drilled 23 points apiece to lead SIP’s 11-point win.
Delos Reyes hit timely baskets in the closing minutes of the fourth period to prevent SIP from collapsing, while Diaz helped his team build a big lead in the first three quarters of the match.
With Diaz nailing 12 points in the third quarter, SIP took a comfortable 71-44 lead, entering the payoff period.
But the Old’Aces made a run in the fourth quarter with John Santos leading the way.
Santos, who was held to nine points after three periods, scored the Old’Aces first 10 points in the fourth canto.
Colin Thomson, Tony Luzama and Sean Frink then contributed to the Old’Aces’ offense in the succeeding plays cutting SIP’s lead to three, 78-75, with over four minutes left in the game.
But Delos Reyes drilled back-to-back baskets to give SIP an 82-75 cushion, entering the final three minutes of the match. SIP never looked back allowing the Old’Aces to score only four points in the last three minutes of the game.
Santos led the Old’Aces’ losing cause firing 28 markers.
In the 45-and-up division, pennant champions the PTI Storms beat Top 45, 73-64, to notch the second championship ticket and challenge Proa for the title.
Richard Brostrom was unstoppable on offense, as he led all scorers with 30 points. Player-coach Tony Sablan played his best game so far in the season hitting 17 markers and four triples, while Nomer Gamboa chipped in 17.
The championship round in the Masters caging will start this Friday.
SIP and the PTI Yankees collide at 7 p.m. with the latter having a twice-to-beat advantage.
If SIP wins, a deciding game will be played on Monday after the winner-take-all match in the 45-and-up division. Proa and the PTI Storms duel for the 45-and-up crown at 7 p.m. on Monday.
Scores:
45&U
Storms 73—Brostrom 30, Sablan 17, Nom. Gamboa 16, Sitchon 8, Noe. Gamboa 2.
Top 45 64—O. Masga 22, J. Guerrero 12, Cruz 8, G. Pangelinan 8, R. Guerrero 8.
35&U
SIP 90—Delos Reyes 23, Diaz 23, Rebuyon 13, Pambid 12, T. Alegre 8, Opone 6, Cayetano 3.
Old’Aces 79—Santos 28, Luzama 17, Thompson 8, Frink 8, Rangamar 7, Ruluked 6, Renguul 4.