The Sherilin-Unisol Mandaue Plastic Men turned their game up in the second half to dispose of the San Fernando Buffalos, 83-72, and earn a spot in the Visayas finals of the Pilipinas Super League 21-Under on Thursday night at the Cebu City Sports Institute.
Sherilin found themselves in trouble late in the third canto as they suddenly trailed, 54-60, with 1:14 to go after leading for most of the match. However, Christopher Isabelo, Anthony Cabatingan, and Rey James Enriquez connived in a 7-0 windup that culminated in a buzzer-beating triple by the latter to put the Plastic Men in front, 61-60 heading to the fourth canto.
The Buffalos kept it close in the final canto but the Plastic Men pulled away for good, thanks to baskets from Daryl Guerrero and Acer Go, to snatch the victory and earn a spot in the Visayas finals where they will take on the defending champions, Consolacion Sarok Weavers.
Guerrero had a huge double-double of 13 points and 15 rebounds for the team of businessman Richard Mercado, while Isabelo and JZ Dizon had 11 points each.
Meanwhile, in the Mindanao semifinals, the Bukidnon Cowboys took down the Cagayan de Oro Kingfishers, 71-66.
Earl Laniton had 18 points to pace the Cowboys, while Zaire Ladesma added 12. Bukidnon was facing off against the Davao Occidental Dreamers as of press time to determine the finalists in the Mindanao region.