The Concentrix Converters kept their championship hopes alive as they sent the quarterfinals to a do-or-die game with a 71-57 victory over the Teleperformance Vipers in the Elite Classic division of the Tanduay Athletics E-Leagues for Basketball at the City Sports Club-Cebu basketball court on Sunday, January 12, 2020.
The semifinals was ordered reset by organizers following a long investigation and mediation between the two teams that revolved around the incident that happened back on November 23, 2019, when supposedly-suspended player Dan Romulo was able to play during the series-opener.
Organizers deemed mistakes were committed by everyone involved including tournament officials, hence the series reset.
The game saw Concentrix assert its dominance in the second half where they outscored Teleperformance, 41-26, to turn a 30-31 halftime deficit into a lopsided victory.
Jaime Pacquiao, Jr. led the way for Concentrix with 17 points, seven rebounds, two assists and three steals while Gio Antigua added 12 points and three steals. Mark Bacho also played a key role in the win with his 11 points, five rebounds and two steals.
Herson Pino was the lone player to reach double-figures for the Vipers with 14 points, five boards and three steals.
The winner of this semis match-up will move on to the semifinals where it will face off against the Accenture Sharks.
Already waiting in the finals are the reigning champions Sykes Pioneers.