Phoenix grab last semis slot

NO. 2 Phoenix 1999/2K knockout No. 7 Petron 2001/02/12 78-73 to claim the remaining semifinals seat in the 5th SJi Alumni Basketball Friendship Cup at the Msgr. John Liu Activities Center.

Petron surprised Phoenix last Thursday 79-66, setting up for the rubber match last Saturday.

Phoenix outscored Petron in the first 3 quarters and survived Petron's offensive juggernaut in the quarter to advance against a knockout semifinals encounter with Terra Dolce Jollibee at 6:30 p.m. of October 9.

Ceres Pasalubong 2006/07 will slug it out against New Energy/Shakey's 2008/10/11 in the 2nd game at 7:45 p.m.

Paolo Li scattered 12 points and Mark Jimenez added 5 points in leading Phoenix to a 22-16 opening quarter lead, even as Joshua Co scored 10 points for Petron.

Bogs Ongsingco and Rhett Demonteverde combined for 13 points as Phoenix remained on top at the break 38-30.

Demonteverde and Eduardo Ng's total output of 11 points almost outscored Petron which managed only 12 points in the 3rd canto, as the lead extended to 57-40.

A 33-point 4th quarter output almost pulled it off for Petron, as they cut the deficit to 4 points. Spearheading the Petron comeback were Marcelino Tan making 4 triples for 18 points and Ralph Ong with 7 points.

But Petron came up short, as Phoenix was bailed out by Li who finished with 13 points in the quarter.

Li finished with 29 points, Demonteverde made 14 points, Ongsingco scored 7, while Ng and Jimenez chipped in 5 points each.

Petron was paced by Tan with 20 points, supported by Co with 18 points, Johann Villanueva and Ong dropped 8 points each and Robert Genovea had 6 points. (Stephen Tan/Contributor)