The defending champions Sherilin Plastics came all the way back from an early 12-point deficit to stun the ARQ Sports-Cokaliong, 76-65, in the semifinals of the Metro Cebu Basketball League Season 6 on Sunday at the City Sports Club-Cebu basketball court.
The victory places the team of businessman and sportsman Richard Mercado in the finals for the second straight season. This time, they will be taking on the formidable Truck N’ Trail (TNT) squad, which disposed of Oninz General Merchandise, 81-73, in the other semis showdown.
Sherilin got off to a slow start and trailed, 4-16, early in the first before righting the ship behind the superb play of veteran wingman Albert Ardiente and up-and-coming guard Jeco Bancale.
They eventually seized the lead at halftime, 38-36, and extended it to 12, 60-48, at the end of the third. The lead went as high as 16, 75-59, as Sherilin imposed its will in the fourth canto en route to taking the victory.
Ardiente popped off for 23 points, five assists, four rebounds, and five steals. Bancale finished with 14 markers, while James Ferraren had 10 points and 10 boards. Kim Trigue was also fantastic with nine points and 10 rebounds.
Jerome Napao led ARQ-Cokaliong with 19 points and 13 boards.
In the other match, TNT came alive in the third canto, thanks to the accurate perimeter shooting of Baruk Ceniza, to help overcome a feisty Oninz squad. Ceniza poured in nine of his 15 points in the third to overhaul a 36-39 halftime deficit and surge in front, 62-55.
Although Oninz kept within striking distance, they eventually ran out of gas, allowing TNT to pull away late in the fourth. Rannel Cortes added 12 markers, while Joseph Cabahug added 10 points and nine boards. Forward Rovello Robles flirted with a double-double of nine points and 10 rebounds as well for TNT.