Lion Tiger claims semis berth

CEBU, Philippines - The Lion Tiger Aerosol/USJ-R Jaguars banked on a third-quarter explosion to streak part KIA Motors/CIT-U Wildcats, 90-80, and book a semifinal ticket in the 6th CESAFI Partner's Cup men's basketball tournament last Saturday night at the Cebu Coliseum.

With a 2-0 record, Lion Tiger is already assured of a semifinal berth regardless of the outcome of its final match against San Marino Corned Tuna-USPF Panthers.

Down by a dozen points at halftime, 35-47, Lion Tiger roared back with Banjo Capillar, Jason Olbedado and Miguel Tabaloc putting their acts together in a sizzling 29-8 counterattack that turned the tide of the match in their favor.

KIA Motors actually started the third quarter with a 14-point advantage, 49-35, but but Lion Tiger unleashed a 10-0 run to pull within 45-49.

Another searing offensive by Lion Tiger produced 17 straight points to end the third period with a 64-55 lead.

Lion Tiger's defense was also effective that they held KIA Motors' veteran playmaker Floyd Taboada to a single point.

Capillar caught fire in the final canto where he knocked in three tomahawks, while Olbedado completed a three-point play as Lion Tiger posted its largest lead of 13 points, 86-73, with only a minute left to play.

Capillar topscored for Lion Tiger with 22 points while Tabaloc added 12. Olbedado and Abulaiz Sulaiman contributed 10 markers apiece.

Lion Tiger, thus, joined the topseed Prime Asia-UV Lancers into the next round.

Joshua de la Cerna paced the 1-1 KIA Motors with 21 points, while Allan Dimco and Franklyn Batiquin chipped in 31 points combined.

The scores

Lion Tiger/USJ-R (90) - Capillar 22, Tabaloc 12, Olbedado 10, Sulaiman 10, Regalado 7, Abing 7, Palileo 5, Palatao 4, Villarosa 3, Dela Rama 2, Molas 2, Lajato 2, Sanchez 2, Medalle 2

KIA Motors/CIT-U (80) - Dela Cerna 21, Dimco 16, Batiquin 15, Baclaan 7, Rabaya 5, Menguito 4, Brigoli 4, Infante 3, Sanhez 2, Tabalin 2, Taboada 1

Halftime: 35-47 (FREEMAN)