A stunning offensive from Noel David and Leo Galarse kept Cell Pro at bay, crushing them, 71-59 in the fourth quarter. For the second time since Friday, both scored double digits at 26 and 21 points, respectively.
Their semifinal game was scheduled for Sunday but was postponed seven minutes into the first quarter due to rain. Not even the weather however, stopped Galarse from notching nine points in the first half with 19 from David.
Cellular Pro trailed by six points in the first quarter and slipped to a 10-point deficit nine minutes later.
Galarse stole the show with an eight-point run in the third quarter, aiding Art Trajano off an offensive rebound. MBI pounded Cell Pro on an 18-9 run, leaving little leeway for gunners Jude Loste and Roy Hernandez.
Aside from Hernandez, only Loste and Rocyl Ritual broke past MBI’s defense on two jumpers and a corner shot against Trajano.
Since upsetting Sherwin Williams last Friday, Galarse remained constant with a 49-point total from both semifinal games.
Trajano mustered no baskets in the closing five minutes but trailed David with 14 points, followed by six from Marvin Achas.
Both Cell Pro and Sherwin Williams aren’t out of the game yet, as both will play in tonight’s knock-out match. The winner faces MBI in next week’s finals, though a specific date is yet to be determined by league organizer Dante Olivos.
Scores:
MBI 71 – N. David 26, L. Galarse 21, A. Trajano 14, M. Achas 6, R. Cabrera 2, A. Cordero 2
Cellular Pro 59 – R. Hernandez 16, R. Ritual 14, R. Herrera 14, J. Norita 7, J. Loste 6, D. Tibayan 2
Quarterscores: 23-17, 40-30, 58-39, 71-59
