John-O, Blu pound rivals, enter semis

John-O and Blu All Purpose barged into the crossover semifinals following overwhelming victories over separate rivals yesterday in the PBL-CBF Dual Meet at the Pasig Sports Center.

Celino Cruz drilled in 14 of his 16 points in the final half, including four triples while Ranidel de Ocampo, Clarence Cole, and Leo Bat-Og added 12 points a piece as John-O broke away in the second half to thwart Skygo Riders, 87-67.

The Detergent Kings controlled the game from the start for an 88-62 win over GMC-Tortillos.

"Yesterday’s setback put us in a must-win situation. They were all geared up for an automatic slot into the next round, unfortunately our effort fell short," said coach Manny Dandan as John-O wrapped up its elimination campaign with the 2-1 card.

In the nightcap, Hapee Toothpaste emerged the first CBF team to get into the semis via an 84-75 victory over Regent Cheese Ball-Shark. Peter Jun Simon topped with 28 points, 26 of which in the first half alone as the Cebuano Teeth Sparkler quickly romped to a 45-28 half time margin and widened the gap to 66-51 at the end of the third canto.

The Cebuano led as many as 18 points, 74-56, 4:23 in the final frame.