What was expected to be a tight battle turned out to be a rout as hotshot Lee Won-Su fired 36 points to lead Myong Ji’s devastating 95-76 win over Xiamen University of Fujian, China to barge into the finals against West Negros College.
Earlier, the West Negros Mustangs survived a scary 78-71 triumph over local favorite Silliman University Stallions to claim the first finals berth, their first ever championship stint in an international tournament.
"This is our first finals appearance in an international stint. That’s why I will just pray my boys will not be nervous. And I am very thankful to Gov. George Arnaiz and to the BAP for giving us a chance to participate in this tournament," said WNC head coach Elvis Atinado.
Myong Ji and West Negros were disputing the crown at presstime yesterday, while Cebu’s University of San Carlos was up against Xiamen Cagers in the battle for third place.
The 19-year-old Won-Su, who averages 26 points in the tourney, waxed hot all throughout, scoring 16 points in the first half to give Myong Ji a 20-point lead, 48-28.
Aside from six triples, four in the final period, Won-Su also dished out 11 assists to frustrate the visiting Xiamen cagers, who had only Wang Dong and Xie Dongyuan scoring in double figures.
Also scoring for Myong Ji were Lee Seueng-Min and Park Lee-Moon, who made 19 and 12, while Xie Dong Xuan was Xiamen’s top gunner with 31 and Wang Dong with 15.
Lee Seung-Min and Kim Bong-Su likewise succeeded in limiting Xiamen’s top shooter Yang Kun to only eight points while Lu Yecheng, who averages 15, could only contribute three points in the match.
"We played well. Our rotation is effective and our defense was also improving the past few days," said Myong Ji head coach Kang Eul-Jun.
The WNC Mustangs, who were threatened, 54-50, at the end of the third period, engaged the Silliman Stallions in a fiery exchange of baskets until the final three minutes, when Ele Olarte and Joel Deocadiz staged a 9-2 run to surge ahead, 77-68.
Olarte topscored for the Mustangs with 23 points and Deocadiz added 13, while Jabe Delfino scored 19 for the Silliman Stallions.
Salazar College of Science Institute of Technology made its presence felt by pulling off a surprising 75-62 win over University of San Carlos in the other match.
But the setback hardly mattered for the USC Warriors, who at 2-3 win-loss slate, still earned the right to face Xiamen of Fujian, China in the battle for third place.