THE Kyocera Frontiers are returning to the Evo League division finals after they edged the Dynata Warriors, 68-66, in overtime in the Tanduay Athletics E-Leagues for Basketball Season 15 at the City Sports Club-Cebu basketball court on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2020.
The victory gave Kyocera a 2-1 win in the semifinal series, earning them a ticket to the best-of-three finals series, where they will be taking on the top-seeded Contact Solutions Flying Lemurs. The Frontiers lost to the Dreamscape Lions in the finals last year.
Matthew Grafilo did a lot of damage, putting up 35 points to go with five rebounds, two assists and a steal. Kyocera’s long-time star Ariel Edera also made a return to the team after missing Game Two—a 49-80 Kyocera loss —and had a double-double of 19 points and 11 rebounds along with five assists, four steals and three blocked shots.
Kyocera, which won Game 1, 61-56, took a 17-16 lead after the first quarter but Dynata dominated the middle periods to post a 51-46 lead, heading to the final period. The Frontiers, however, proved to be the steadier team as they came up with timely hits in the homestretch to escape with the hard-earned win.
Tommy Ugsimar and Karl Rubica both logged double-double games to spearhead the hard-fighting Warriors. Ugsimar tallied 18 points, 11 boards, three assists and a steal, while Tubic recorded 11 points, 11 rebounds, one assist and a block. (JNP)