Friday, October 03, 2008 Bombo upends NCHA for finals berth in Centennial Cup
BOMBO Radyo survived a fourth quarter run by NCHA, 86-77 to barge in the finals of Bracket D in the ongoing Baguio Centennial Cup Basketball Invitational Tournament.
NCHA, having a twice to beat advantage in the semifinals, bowed out for title contention in their bracket despite posting a gallant fourth quarter run.
Team Captain Eddie Carta started the game waxing hot in his outside shooting with a trey and a two to lead the radio station at the end of the first period with a 18-14 lead.
He again dished out three crucial assists in the third period to pull Bombo away against the housing firm with a commanding 63-51 lead at the end of the third period.
But NCHA proved a hard nut to crack.
After being down by 20, the housing firm relied on Fritz Padong and John Kiniway to pull them within two, with four minutes remaining in the ball game.
But it was the last stand for NCHA after Bombo converted an 8-0 run to secure them the win a trip to the finals.
"It was all team work," said Carta of the win after the final buzzer sounded.
Bombo now awaits the winner in the Red Nose-RAJ Construction in the other semifinal match in their do-or-die battle Thursday afternoon.
Five in the Bombo line up scored in double figures with Kirk Wendell Panagan leading the radio station with his 21-point game high performance. Bean pole Jim Paligan added 15 while Christian Acosta, Gatan Dalang, and Edward Pangosban chipped in 11 a piece.
Padong meanwhile led NCHA with his 18-point clip, while Kiniway and Jim Cawang contributed 14 and 11 points, respectively. (Roderick Osis)
