Roble Shipping one win away from retaining title

CEBU, Philippines - Roble Shipping skippered by George Uy moved one step closer from retaining its crown after it deflated Powerball, 93-79, to return into the finals of the Invitational Friendship Cup Season 2 basketball tournament at the CEC gym.

Earlier, the Benitez Dental Clinic defeated Tantan, 58-47, to earn a playoff slot against Powerball next week, with the winner earning the right to challenge Roble Shipping for the championship.

Bull-strong center Dave Lim and Uy waxed hot early on to vault Roble Shipping to a 24-13 start. John Carpio, Dindo Sausa and Ruel Sestoso joined the fray to further break the game wide open.

Powerball pulled within striking distance, 60-65, behind the efforts of Saimon Canete and Emy Gaviola, but Roble Shipping iced the match with a 28-18 spurt for the 14-point romp.

Lim and Carpio paced Roble with 15 markers each even as four others finished in double figures. Sausa pitched in 14 points, Theogene Lim 12, Sestoso 11 and Uy 10.

Bondying Mendoza and Lando Luces connived with 35 points for Powerball.

Cardo Saranania, on the other hand, led Benitez Dental Clinic with 14 points followed by playing coach Jongkoy Napisa with 13.

The scores

First game

Benitez (58) - Saranania 14, Napisa 13, Pulgo 8, Bentain 7, Bensi 4, E. Benitez 2, Vilo 2, Amodia 2, P. Benitez 2, R. Benitez 2, Paquibot 2

Tantan (47) - Abano 11, Abejo 10, Garcia 10, Go 6, Compuesto 5, Nomio 2, Patalinghug 2, Polancos 1

   Second game

Roble Shipping (93) - D. Lim 15, Carpio 15, Sausa 14, T. Lim 12, Sestoso 11, Uy 10, Gabutan 8, Armenion 4, Encallado 4

Powerball (79) - Mendoza 18, Luces 17, Gaviola 15, Canete 13, Fuentes 8, Estorba 4, Caruana 4 (GGM)   (FREEMAN NEWS)