THE M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Jewelers secured the first seat to the championship round after a commanding victory over Group B second seed Pharex Medics, 108-94, in the crossover semifinal round of the 2008 MVBA Sinulog Cup at the Cebu Coliseum last night.
The Jewelers forced the Medics to commit turnovers and cashed it in into fastbreak points to break the back of the hard fighting Pharex.
The Medics looked very formidable in the early going, leading 7-2 and holding on to a 22-21 lead after the first quarter.
However, things started to fall apart for the PBL squad in the second when center Marlon Basco sank back-to-back triples to give M. Lhuillier the lead for good at 38-30 with 5:20 remaining in the second quarter.
Pharex stayed within striking distance for the next 16 minutes, but the third stringers of coach Yayoy Alcoseba paved the way for a double-digit lead entering the final quarter.
With the Jewelers scoring 17 against 7 points on turnovers, the Cebuanos erected their biggest lead at 89-70 still with 6:17 remaining.
However, Pharex got a new lease of life when Emerson Oreta sank three straight triples to cut down the deficit to 91-86, at the 3:13 mark.
However, the next plays proved too trying for the Medics as they only scored six points the rest of the way, four from garbage points as the Jewelers put up a tough defensive pattern including a steal by Gerry Cavan. Cavan converted the steal into an easy two that restored a 12-point lead for the Jewelers in the final 98 seconds of the game.
Jayford Rodriguez then hammered the final nails on Pharex’s coffins with two booming triples that secured a seat for the Jewelers in the knockout championship game today.
Aside from outscoring the Medics on points off turnovers, the Jewelers also outsdueled the Medics 20 to 10 on fast break, while the shorter but hardworking Pharex players enjoyed a 14-10 edge in second chance baskets.
At press time, Group B No.1 team Fifth Avenue Telecoms of the Millennium Basketball League was playing Group A No.2 Toyota-Balintawak Road Kings for the second championship slot.
