THE Kiboy’s Computer Solutions (KCS) bucked a sluggish start and came alive at just the right time to defeat ASPA in the semifinals, 75-68, on Monday, February 24, 2020, and advance to the finals of the Mayor Edgardo C. Labella 1st Charter Cup Basketball Tournament over at the Cebu City Sports Institute.
KCS got off to a horrific start and trailed, 6-15, but eventually found their bearings to take a 20-19 lead after back-to-back baskets by Baruk Ceniza. ASPA continued to hang in there and took a 37-36 lead at halftime.
However, KCS finally asserted their superior skill in the third which they opened with a 13-4 salvo capped off by consecutive jumpers by University of the Visayas stalwart Froiland Maglasang for a 49-41 lead, 3:10 to go in the third.
In the fourth was where KCS poured it on as Vincent Minguito kicked things off with a three-pointer that raised their lead to its highest of 14, 57-43. ASPA was able to trim the deficit down to just five, 54-59, after a driving lay-up by Jestoni Baclaan, but KCS’ big men answered right back with a three-point play by Edrian Lao and a free-throw by Rino Berame that brought their lead back to nine, 63-54.
ASPA pulled to within five, 63-68-67, after two free-throws by Kenneth Niones with 1:27 remaining in the game but that proved to be their last hurrah as Lao and Berame came up with clutch shots to put the game out of reach.
Lao, who is currently playing for the Cebu team in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, led the way for KCS with 17 points, five rebounds and three assists while Berame had a double-double of 12 points and 14 boards.
KCS will now be waiting for the winner of the other semifinal pairing between the ARQ Builders-KSB Glass and the Fighter 50.
The championship game will be held on Tuesday night, 7 p.m. at the same venue. The winning team of that game will pocket an impressive P150, 000.