By Henry G. Doble
Contributor

WHEN four teams are evenly matched, chances are one’s prediction is off target.
Back Up, which surprisingly finished on top tying San Hong with a 4-2 record after two rounds in the 2nd Danilo Puzon Cup, faces No. 4 Jaded Court at 7 o’clock Friday night at Lopue’s South Square Gym.

In the other semis, No. 1 San Hong tries to finish off unpredictable No. 3 Axial Engineering at 8:30 p.m. The Partsmen lost the top sport after bowing twice to Back Up thus losing due to the win-over-the-other rule.

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The Steelers, who lost 80-85 to San Hong last week, finished at 3-3 while Jaded Court, losing twice by forfeiture, trailed at 1-5. The semis, however, is another thing and when the Courtmen are complete with Rommel Hofileña, Tanker Habaradas, Johnson Ciocon and Winnie Antones around, the favorites are in jeopardy.

Axial and Jaded Court have to win twice in order to get a final seat. And to do that, coach Errol Dreyfus has to make ex-WNC Mustang Dagol Flores and Edgar Espares work hard underneath to neutralize former CSA-B Eagle Bandoy Aliermo and Biboy Java from the perimeter. Raymundo Sapa Jr. will be a marked man from the triple area as the Steelers will make sure that San Hong’s 3-pointers will be challenged.

Bac Up coach Bing Soyao may not get Edmundo Lumawag’s talent due to a swollen shoulder but Toto Plagata, Julius Prietos, Vic Dueñas and Randy Cawaling can make up for the below par performance of their ailing center.

On Saturday, July 11, BUS Group will host the Dumaguete Professionals for its annual 2-game fellowship. Dupros took the 40-above category title last year while the Huskies kept the 40-below crown on Rex Bayer’s jumper with 5 ticks left.

Bayer will join forces with Aliermo, Hofileña, Flores, Ciocon, Sapa, Nene Sibaya and Luisito Dolorido for the “younger” level while Espares, Armando Soberano, Lumawag, Cawaling, Ed Cruz and the Antones brothers take care of the 40-plus group.

Venue of the games and the fellowship night will be announced later.