THE Masong Construction of team owner Rey Masong stunned McMill of Macky Hapitan, 81-78, last Sunday for its fifth win in six outings (5-1) and marched into the semifinal round with YMTEC and Aying Sportswear which also tote identical 5-1 win-loss records in the Sambag 2 Basketball Athletic Association (S2BAA)-2011 Caloy Belarmino Cup basketball tournament at the sitio Kawayan covered court in barangay Sambag 2, Cebu City.
Masong led 19-18 in the opening period but McMill responded with a 26-18 rally for a seven-point lead, 44-37, at the half behind Danry Baclay and Jerome Tuga-on.
But Masong went strong in the third quarter with a blistering 23-10 rally to turn the tide in its favor, 60-54, behind the triumvirate of high-leaping Bong Mediano, Michael Cruz and Joel Tumabang.
Mediano led Masong Construction with 13 points while Michael Cruz and Joel Tumabang added 11 points apiece. Danry Baclay paced McMill with 15 points while Jun Verano and Rocky Bacalso combined for 24 points combined.
BOX SCORES
MASONG (81)- Bo. Mediano 13, Cruz 11, Tumabang 11, Dacumos 8, Labrejos 7, Llaguno 7, Ba. Mediano 6, Derecho 5, Ragasajo 5, Leopats 4, Amaquin 2, Rosel 2.
MCMILL (78)- Baclay 15, Verano 13, Bacalso 11, Borinaga 9, Tuga-on 7, Gabutero 6, Belocura 5, Secuya 4, Hapitan 4, Flores 2, Tablada 2. /Correspondent Dale Rosal