CEBU - The 5th Avenue Telecom brightened up its semifinal chances with an 87-79 victory over the previously unbeaten Mabolo Christian Academy in come-from-behind fashion in the 6th M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Under-21 Developmental Basketball League at the Consolacion Sports Complex.
5th Avenue of coach Marvin Felicis dictated the tempo of the match at the onset and took a 39-35 lead at halftime, but the Mabolo CA cagers staged a daring counter-attack in the third period to snatch the driver’s seat, 67-65, going into the final quarter.
Mabolo CA, however, could not sustain its momentum in the closing minutes of the game, allowing the 5th Avenue Telecom stalwarts to close the match with a 22-12 bang for the kill.
Thus, 5th Avenue grabbed the solo lead in Bracket B with an immaculate 3-0 win-loss record. Mabolo dropped to second place in a tie with RemEMBER with similar 3-1 win-loss cards.
The champion in the two-month tilt organized by MLSDF executive director Eddie B. Ybañez will receive P5,000, while the second and third placers will get P3,000 and P2,000, respectively. Since it is an event for-a-cause, the prizes as well as part of the gate sales will be donated to charitable institutions of the winners’ choice.
5th Avenue Telecom (87) - Mondragon 29, Ygay 12, Labagala 10, Cañete 8, Silva 8, Reyes 6, Agusto 6, Gayundatu 4
Mabolo CA (79) - Orbeta 23, Olivares 13, Dajalos 10, Rodavia 8, Tabaquero 8, Rabaquero 8, Oyao 7
Quarterscores:22-21, 39-35, 65-67, 87-79 — EBV (THE FREEMAN)