MORTAFLEX barged right into the championship round while the top-seeded Fractalis stumbled in the semifinal battles of the United Architects Basketball Club First Conference last Sunday at the Cebu Eastern College gym.
Mortaflex withstood a huge fightback by Healthy Homes to prevail, 89-85, and take the first ticket to the finals. However, they will have to wait for their opponent after Cool Shades forged a do-or-die encounter for the last championship slot after they routed the pace-setting Fractalis, 92-79.
Ferdinand Tiro scored 22 points to lead Mortaflex, which didn’t need their twice-to-beat advantage to dispose of their opponents after zooming to a 27-12 advantage after the first period. But Healthy Home did not go down without a fight as they sliced the deficit down to five, 60-65, after three cantos.
However, Mortaflex kept their composure and made their free-throws near the end to secure the victory.
Jodl Dabon added 13 while Paul Sasan chipped in 12 points for Mortaflex.
In the other game, Mark Capili and Criz Matunog combined for 50 points to carry Cool Shades to the crucial win. They got off to a strong start and repeatedly fought off Fractalis’ persistent efforts to come back, en route to the lopsided win.
BOX SCORES
#4-COOL SHADES (92) – Capili 26, Matunog 24, Tang 14, Villacorta 10, Baladya 9, Siaotong 9.
#1-FRACTALIS (79) – Panerio 16, Bejo 15, Vidal 13, Tan O. 10, Tan D. 8, Sesbreno 6, Badayos 5, Bonjoc 3, Pepito 3.
2nd game
#2-MORTAFLEX (89) – Tiro 22, Dabon 13, Sasan 12, Parba 8, Radomes 8, Adlawan 7, Abellana 6, Somosot 6, Castillo 5, Tampus 2
#3-HEALTHY HOME (85) – Cinco 31, Paradero 9, Romero 9, Marquita 8, Flores 6, Maspinas 5, Osmena 4, Partosa 4, Alberto 3, Basallo 2, Manal 2, Pedaria 2. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio