THE MJDL Titans and the Cebu Inter Port Users logged thrilling wins in their respective semifinal matches to set up a championship showdown in the Cebu Customs Invitational Tournament 2013.
MJDL edged Philhealth, 70-69, while CIPU tripped the Bureau of Customs, 75-71.
MJDL and Philhealth played to a near-stalemate with neither team allowing the other to take control. Philhealth gained some headway leading, 64-60, with 2:30 left, but MJDL countered with baskets from Daniel Enriquez and Jhaymar Elloren for a, 67-64 lead. Philhealth had a glimmer of hope by trimming the deficit to one on Anecito Ramas’ jumper but Adrian Laborte shut the door on them with three free-throws for a, 70-66 lead. The final tally was settled as Anthony Cenabre canned a meaningless three-pointer at the buzzer.
Enriquez led MJDL with 20 points while Elloren added 15. Escobido led Philhealth with 17 points as Ramonito Ornopia chipped in 15.
In the other semifinal game, CIPU blew hot then cold, and had to overcome a furious BoC rally to nail the crucial win.
Up 45-32 at halftime, it looked like CIPU had the game won. But the Portmen went to the hot three-point shooting of Bingo Matugas who drilled three treys in the fourth quarter, igniting a rally that cut the lead to only one, 68-67 with three minutes left in the game. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio