THE AVE MARIA Sanctuary and Park notched the first slot in the finals of the M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu Basketball Association (CBA) after they got past the Asian College of Technology (ACT) Cyber Knights, 78-65, in the continuation of the semifinal round yesterday at the Cebu Coliseum.
The win was Ave Maria’s second in this round and it assured them of a slot in the championship series regardless of whatever will happen in their next match against the Salazar Colleges of Science and Institute of Technology (SCSIT) Skyblazers this Wednesday. The loss dropped the Cyber Knights out of the running for the finals.
Behind the herculean efforts of former PBA player Jercules Tangkay, Ave Maria built a 10-point lead, 23-13, at the end of the first period. Tangkay continued his assault on the rim in the second period and wound up with 16 points at halftime, which helped Ave Maria surge in front, 43-28.
Ave Maria was never threatened from that point onwards.
Alex Cainglet and Aldrin Ocanada also submitted respectable performances with 14 and 12 points, respectively. The Cyber Knights were led by the 16 of Milfred Sampilo and the 15 of Alano Caputolan.
BOX SCORES:
Ave Maria (78)- Tangkay 25, Cainglet 14, Ocanada 12, Amores 8, Gabas 7, Aying 7, Ponce 4, France 1
ACT (65)- Sampilo 16, Caputolan 15, Luga 14, Bucao 9, Villaver 5, Galinato 4, Ursal 2. /Correspondent Jonas Panerio