The victory extended Proa to eight wins with no losses and earned them a bye from this week’s open division quarterfinals.
Despite a neck-and-neck game in the second half, team Noni couldn’t snatch the lead they needed. They turned the scores around twice and threatened Proa off the top seed spot after Lerio Pagarao’s three-pointer.
17 points behind, Noni eked out a huge turnaround after outscoring Proa, 22-16 in the third quarter.
Earlier in the game, Cabalen’s Wowie Abuel’s right-handed layup forced the game to a one-point gap, 57-56.
Proa fired back on Dan Barcinas’ two-pointer while blocking two attempts from Pagarao. Pete Iguel followed with a jumper, Charles Johnson added a free throw, and Joshua Sablan marked his fifth three-point field goal to end the period.
Noni briefly came on top, 71-73 in the last five minutes after Pagarao’s basket.
Gino Libuw however, reclaimed the court on a three-pointer while Johnson and Lizama each blasted two free throw shots.
Kae Bernardo missed the basket twice and Pagarao tossed an air ball with 20 seconds left on the clock. Their loss dropped them to the third seed, right below the UPAA-Hoopaholics. Both Noni and the Hoops capped the season with six wins and two losses.
Iguel dominated with 25 points while Joshua Sablan and Charles Johnson scored 15 and 11, respectively. Jack Lizama, who had 14 points, held his end on the defense with 17 rebounds and one steal. Barcinas tallied four steals, three assists, one block, and four rebounds.
Scores:
Namfrel-Proa 82 – P. Iguel 25, J. Sablan 15, J. Lizama 14, C. Johnson 11, D. Barcinas 5, K. Chariton 4, P. Mendiola 3, G. Libuw 3, M. Babauta 2
Cabalen-Noni 79 – L. Pagarao 21, W. Abuel 17, K. Bernardo 14, B. Basilla 13, B. Demapan 6, B. Tamayo 6, R. Yabut 2
Quarterscores: 25-16, 51-41, 67-63, 82-79
Armatech off to finals on 76-68 win vs. Piahi
Meanwhile, team MDX-Armatech outgunned Visminda-Piahi, 76-68 to clinch the masters division’s second finals seat.
A combined 13 points from Toto Banatasa and Ariel Jinang lifted Armatech from a 15-15 deadlock in the second quarter, while Bernard Montano led the offense with 17.
Jinang stunned Visminda on a three-point field goal and returned with another shot while Banatasa aided with a jumper and two free throws.
Ray Lizama, who scored four points in the first half, piled 17 from a shooting spree in the final quarter to boost team Piahi.
Their 10-point deficit however, was too great to handle as Montano ended with six more points. Ferdie Tobias sunk three consecutive baskets and Jinang fired a free throw to seal the game.
Banatasa tallied 12 points overall, Tobias earned 10, and Jinang bagged nine.
Armatech will be facing top-seeded Cabalen-Wings Travel in this Thursday’s championship game at 6:30 p.m.
Teams Visminda and Mafea-RNV will battle for third and fourth place tomorrow at 6:30 p.m.
Scores:
MDX-Armatech 76 – B. Montano 17, T. Banatasa 12, F. Tobias 10, A. Jinang 9, A. Trajano 7, J. Abuy 6, A. Crisostomo 5, B. Malasarte 4, B. Berline 4, P. Crisostomo 2
Visminda-Piahi 68 – R. Lizama 24, J. Rengul 16, J. Abedes 11, J. Palacios 10, L. Ruluked 5, J. Gabaldon 1, H. Manipon 1
Quarterscores: 15-15, 38-30, 53-43, 76-68
