Games today (Cebu Coliseum)
5 p.m. – Lion Tiger vs. Kia Motors
6:45 p.m. – Prime Asia vs. San Marino
The reigning champions, Prime Asia-University of the Visayas Green Lancers claimed the first finals slot after beating the Lion Tiger Aerosol-University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars, 96-93, late Thursday night in an explosive semifinal duel in the 6th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) Partner’s Cup at the Cebu Coliseum.
For a while, it appeared as if the Lancers were going to blow the Jaguars out of the water after taking a, 50-30 lead in the third quarter on a three-point play. However, Lion Tiger scored seven points off two baskets by Miguel Tabaloc and a trey by Jayson Olbedado, on one possession.
That, coupled with an incredible 17-2 blast near the end of that stretch, a run that was anchored on the 13-point output of the streaky Olbedado, allowed the Jaguars to come within five, 65-70, heading to the last period.
Lion Tiger finally got over the hump early in the fourth as Renato Abing came off the bench and scored nine of their first 13 points, including a three-point play and a lay-up off a nice feed from Olbedado that put them in front, 78-77, with 7:15 remaining.
Emotions ran high that several mini skirmishes broke out, spurred by the hard fouls from both teams. The game was tied for the final time at 91-all as Olbedado made two free-throws with 1:16 left. But Prime Asia simply had too much veteran gumption as Chris Perolino sank a mid-range jumper from the top of the key and was followed by a lay-up by Phil Mercader from a nice drop pass from Eman Calo that put the Lancers up, 95-91, with 31.3 ticks left.
Lion Tiger’s last chance flew out the window as Abing’s trey rattled in and out and Prime Asia hung tough to annex another championship round stint.
Wowie Escosio dominated down low as he scored 25 points. More so, he was so dominant that he fouled out two of USJ-R’s reliable big men in Kyle Lajato and Zandro Palileo. Perolino added 19 even as Mercader finished with 16. Lion Tiger got 24 from Olbedado and 18 from Abing.