THE Kia Motors-Cebu Institute of Technology-University Wildcats advanced to the 6th Cebu Schools Athletic Foundation Inc. (CESAFI) Partner’s Cup finals for the very first time after nipping the Lion Tiger Aerosols-University of San Jose-Recoletos Jaguars, 78-74, in their winner-take-all semifinal match yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.
With the last berth in the best-of-five championship round at stake, the Wildcats rose to the occasion when it mattered the most as they got points from guard, Axel Rabaya and forward Vincent Menguito down the stretch to hack out the hard-earned victory.
It was a close game all throughout with both teams exchanging leads at different points of the match. Lion Tiger had the lead, 37-33, at halftime but surrendered it in the ensuing canto, 53-55, as Kia Motors unleashed a brief, 11-4, rally that featured makes from Jestoni Baclaan and star wingman, Floyd Taboada.
The fourth and final stanza was a see-saw battle with Kia clinging on to a, 75-70 lead behind a strong drive by Rabaya and an inside basket by Menguito off a broken play that ended with a dime by the latter with 47 ticks left.
Still, as they have proven in many instances, the Jaguars refused to give up and got to within one, 74-75, after a floater and a putback by James Regalado, with just 18 seconds remaining. Rabaya was fouled on their possession and made just one free-throw, leaving the door ajar for Lion Tiger.
However, Jayson Olbedado, USJ-R’s streaky ace, coughed the ball up to the sideline on their offensive, leading to two made free-throws by Menguito with 7.4 left on the clock which sealed the victory and the finals ticket by Kia Motors.
Taboada led the Wildcats once again with 26 points, 19 coming in the first half. Olbedado had 23 to lead the Jaguars.
Waiting in the wings for the Wildcats are the reigning champions, Prime Asia-University of the Visayas.