StorageTown came all the way back from a six-point deficit with a minute to go to stun Cooking Kalgas, 80-77, in overtime and advance to the Final Four of the Metro Cebu Basketball League Season 7 last Sunday at the City Sports Club Cebu.
Down by as much as 14 and facing elimination as they trailed, 63-69, the team of businessman Chase Cokaliong and coach Paul Joven dug deep and pulled to within two after a floater by Matthew Booc and two free-throws by Henry Donor. Uri Avila then tied the game up at69-all with a baseline jumper.
Cooking Kalgas had a shot at winning the game in regulation but John Villabrille’s short jumper missed as time expired.
In the extra session, Cooking Kalgas last held the lead at 75-74 after a layup by Villabrille. But StorageTown answered with a short stab from Rory Buzon and a fastbreak basket from Jerome Napao to raise their lead to three, 78-75.
Cooking Kalgas kept at it and pulled to within one after two free-throws from Ajie Villaver but Donor was relentless, scoring on a pull-up jumper to bring StorageTown’s lead to 80-77. Cooking Kalgas had several chances to tie the game but Vyron Villanel and Johncle Molero missed their three-point tries in the final seconds.
Napao had a superb ballgame as he tallied 33 points and 16 rebounds for StorageTown, which will face off against the ARQ Builders in the semifinals.
ARQ decimated an undermanned Sherilin 3 squad, 104-79, in their Elite Eight matchup. Goldwayne Baje had 17 points while Ron Tampus put up 16 markers for ARQ.
The other semifinal clash will see a rematch of Season 6’s finals as the Sherilin 1 squad will battle the reigning champions, Truck N Trail.
Sherilin 1 escaped with a 90-86 win over BBC in their Elite Eight game. Albert Ardiente had 16 points and 10 rebounds for the squad of entrepreneur and sportsman, Richard Mercado. Mark Quiapo added 12 while James Ferraren pitched in 11 points and nine boards.