Welcoat earns first semis seat

Welcoat Paints seized control in the second period and kept the initiative from thereon for an overpowering 76-55 triumph over LBC-Batangas Blades yesterday to capture the first semifinals slot of the 2002 PBL Challenge Cup at the Pasig Sports Center.

Veteran Romel Adducul powered the crucial breakaway scattering 11 of his 16 points in the second quarter and sent the Paint Masters to their fifth straight win and eighth overall in nine outings.

The Blades, absorbing their second straight defeat in the second round, fell to fourth place with a 5-5 record.

"Kahit naman talo kami dito, assured na kami of the top two positions. Kaso, lahat kasi nag-eexpect na manalo kami so kahit hindi gaanong importante ang laro, we still have to give our all," said Welcoat coach Leo Austria.

The Paint Masters enjoyed a 42-30 halftime margin, but LBC-Batangas, behind the three-point snipings of Nicole Uy and Alex Compton, trimmed the gap to just 10, 47-57, with 1:17 left in the third period.

But that was the best they could muster. A jumper and two freethrows by Jean Marc Pingris pulled Welcoat away anew at 63-49, while Ariel Capus, Ronald Tubid and a trey each by Calijohn Orfrecio and Melvin Mamaclay sparked a 10-0 blast that later widened the gap to a 73-52 spread, 1:32 remaining in the game.

Tubid backed up Adducul with 14 points while Ariel Capus and Eddie Laure added 13 and 12 points respectively.

Alex Compton led LBC-Batangas with 14 points while Nicole Uy added 13.