Elite Force’s Manuel Gatbonton attempts a floater over Vizion Insurance’s Rico Morales during a semifinals game of the 2024 Destroyers Friendly Games League at the TSL Sports Complex on Sunday.
Vizion Insurance’s Robes Ales pulls up for the contested three-point shot during a semifinals game against Elite Force in the 2024 Destroyers Friendly Games League at the TSL Sports Complex on Sunday.
VIZION Insurance and Bio-Pro have secured their seats in the finale of the 2024 Destroyers Friendly Games League by defeating their respective opponents in semifinal round at the TSL Sports Complex on Sunday.
Vizion Insurance was nearly denied the opportunity for a title shot but managed to hold down Elite Force in overtime, 85-77.
The first half was controlled by Vizion Insurance.
After a handful of scoreless exchanges in the first three minutes of the game, Vizion Insurance managed to break the silence thanks to Manny Basa and Arnold Sangoyo who delivered four points each.
Elite Force tried to build momentum on their end but with only Manuel Gatbonton able to finish a handful of shots, they could not close the distance.
Vizion Insurance, for their part, found their confidence from beyond the arc as Robles Ales and Arnold Arboleda sank a total of five triples to extend their lead, 41-27.
Elite Force, however, returned from the second half a different team.
Gatbonton picked up where he left off by scoring the first two buckets while the rest of the team chipped in. Their rally was highlighted by several three-pointers that were ignited by back-to-back shots courtesy of Gab De Guzman and Gerard Duque while Gotbonton and Mark Arcaydo took over the final 10 minutes by each adding a pair of triples to close the distance.
Vizion Insurance fought back with four consecutive triples while Sangoyo connected the would-be game-winning shot. However, Andrew Sy saved Elite Force from elimination as he answered with a clutch bucket to tie the game, 76-76, and force overtime.
However, Elite Force merely delayed the inevitable as they were held down to just one point while Vizion Insurance’s Sangoyo regained the upper hand by sinking four points from the free throw line en route to victory, 85-77, and a seat in the championship round.
Bio-Pro vs Lamesa Kusina
Bio-Pro secured its ticket to the the championship by outlasting Lamesa Kusina, 81-72.
The first half was filled with endless lead exchanges. Mark Matuguina and Bryan Natividad stood at the frontline for Bio-Pro with 9 and 11 points, respectively while Lamesa Kusina relied more on the inside game led by Bryan Lontoc and Jun Hernandez with 12 and 8 points to hold a slight lead, 38-37.
Although Lamesa Kusina continued to deliver from within the perimeter, Bio-Pro’s long-ranged approach proved to be superior as Patrick Morales drained three crucial triples to keep his team afloat and eventually triumph, 81-72.
