KAWSA inches closer to semis in USC hoops

Team Kawsa inched closer to the semifinals after scoring a 66-64 squeaker over the PTA North even as defending champion Pepsi Max stayed alive in the semifinals race by thrashing sister team Pepsi Reg, 70-60, in the resumption of the USC-BED SC PTA basketball tournament played for the first time at the Tisa barangay multi-purpose gym. Team Kawsa, led by Ryan Madolin who finished with 26 points, improved its win-loss record in Group A to 4-1. However, its fate will depend heavily on the results of the AC Sports versus Cokaliong Shipping prestige match.

In case Cokaliong wins, it will join AC Sports to the semifinals but in case of a loss by the former, Kawsa needs to win in the playoff to advance.

The PTA North, which started 0-2, now has 3-2 win-loss record but whose wins came a little bit late to catch up with the group leaders. Not even the 26-point output by consistent scorer Jun Bantolinao could bail out PTA North from disaster.

Pepsi Max, known as Mirinda Orange last year, stayed alive and is heading towards the semifinals along with Group B leader Lola Tikya.

Former SWU Cobra Paul Maninang led the Pepsi Max offense with 20 points while Jerry Ramirez and another ex-Cobra Mario Naron had 15 and 12 points, respectively as they improved its record to 3-2.

Roy de Guzman had 18 points for the 1-2 Pepsi Reg.

The scores
First Game
Kawsa (66) - Madolin 26, Bardaje 12, Gabales 10, Lipardo 7, Seno 4, Pedida 4
PTA North (64) - Bantolinao 26, Yaun 21, Otero 6, Jo 4, Rhym 2, Rodina 2, Pleños 2

Second Game
Pepsi Max (70) - Maninang 20, Ramirez 15, Naron 2, Dela Torre 12, Adarna 7, Dela Calzada 2, Cal 2
Pepsi Reg (60) - De Guzman 18, Amoro 10, Balansag 8, ruiz 5, Enlope 5, Siega 4, Dela Torre 4, Omayas 4, Romarate 2