Hoopers, Warriors keep lead in PICPA hoop

CEBU, Philippines - The Yoli Meso-skippered Hoopers and the Wildcats knocked off separate rivals to share the lead in the Philippine Institute of Certified Public Accountants (PICPA) basketball semifinals at the Don Vicente Sotto Memorial Gym in Brgy. Punta Princesa, this city.

The Hoopers scored a lopsided 88-64 win over the Timberwolves, while the Wildcats defeated the Warriors, 70-63.

Lito Ortiz and Jeremy Makinano powered the Hoopers to a 22-13 start, which they later padded to 27 points, 72-45, resulting into a 24-point blowout at the final buzzer.

Ortiz spearheaded the Hoopers with 28 points. Jun Ongayuren and Junnie Tayupan had 20 and 14 points, respectively, for the Timberwolves.

In the other game, Sonny Dequino fired 20 points for the Wildcats followed by Arjam Bonsucan with 15.

Jude Seares also scored 20 for the Warriors, while Derek Vivares chipped in 13 markers in a losing cause. – GGM (THE FREEMAN)