REIGNING champions Kia/White Gold and top contender RDAK kept their championship hopes alive by surviving their opponents in their respective do-or-die matches in the Sacred Heart Ateneo Alumni Basketball Athletics Association.
After getting whitewashed in their last game, Kia bounced back with a dominant performance to boot out Kunstof, 67-54 and gain a slot in the semifinals. Kia zoomed ahead, 26-15 after the first period and all but decided the match by establishing a 46-22 lead at halftime. Many-time MVP Dave Lim led the balanced attack with 19 markers.
Meanwhile, RDAK creamed JAPFA, 71-50, turning what started as a close game into a rout by outscoring their opponents, 24-8, during that stretch. Also, RDAK’s defense made life miserable for JAPFA’s top gunner Ed Macasling who managed just nine markers. Phillip Sykimte, James Edquilla and Robert Gilo all scored in twin digits with 13, 12 and 11 points, respectively.
The two squads will now join early qualifiers Istorya.net and Dynacast in the semifinals. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio