The Jewels forced a playoff with the Snackmasters at 3:30 p.m. after scoring an 82-73 victory last Thursday. Tortillos came into quarterfinal series armed with a twice-to-beat advantage after finishing third in the elims.
But while the Jewels were all focused — offensively and defensively, the Snackmasters played a lackluster game, particularly in the final half where the Davao-based squad came through with a telling run that turned the game around.
"It’s all about heart. The boys showed what they can do if they play as a unit," said Montaña coach Robert Sison, who is hoping to steer the team to the semis for the third straight time.
Momentum is definitely on the Jewels’ side but Sison and company are not going to relax, fully convinced the Snackmasters are going to make some adjustments to earn the last ride to the Final Four.
"I have high respect for coach Lipa, I know he will make some adjustments so we have to be ready," said Sison. "We have to play with lots of intensity to beat them again."
If Montaña prevails, it will meet Rain or Shine in a best-of-3 affair while Harbour Centre takes on No. 2 Magnolia Ice Cream in the other semis pairing. But if Tortillos triumph, it will face Magnolia in the semis with Rain or Shine going up against Harbour in the other semis duel.
With so much at stake in today’s game, Sison expects another thrilling and rugged encounter with the Cebu-based squad, which is also out to play in the semis for the third straight time since joining the league two years back.
The Snackmasters pounded the boards with impunity, taking a 50-38 advantage but they shot poorly from the field. Tortillos converted only 26 of 73 attempts for a 36 percent shooting clip while the Jewels did a lot better, making 21 of 61 for 41 percent.
Sison is hoping that Al Magpayo could dish out the same brilliance he displayed the last time. The 6-foot-5 center finished with 18 points, 9 rebounds and three blocks as he outplayed Tortillos’ beefy center JR Quinahan.
Quinahan, one of the most popular sports figures in Cebu, was a pathetic sight the last time as he struggled for five points and seven rebounds in 22 minutes of action. He was benched by Lipa for much of the final half because of his inability to defend against the big men of the Jewels.