Sparks gain semis playoff on Cabahug clutch hit

Patrick Cabahug came through with a clutch jumper in the final minute as Toyota Otis came from behind to nip TeleTech, 69-65, yesterday and secure a playoff for a semifinal berth in the PBL Silver Cup at the Emilio Aguinaldo College Gym.

Protecting a shaky 64-62 lead, the Sparks went to Cabahug, who had an open look from afar and knocked in the basket with 61 seconds remaining to power Toyota Otis to its fourth straight victory and seventh overall against three setbacks.

The Sparks thus finished the round tied with Mail & More on top.

The Titans fell to 6-4.

Cabahug, who averaged 21.5 points in the team’s last two games, finished with 15 points he spiked with two triples.

Marvin Cruz and RJ Jazul combined for 24 points and 10 rebounds for the Sparks, who trailed, 48-52, after three quarters.

Earlier, Bonbon Custodio sizzled with 19 points as Magnolia Ice Cream foiled Henkel-Sista’s semifinal playoff bid with a 68-49 rout.

Custodio, a flashy rookie out of University of the East, went nine-of-12 from the field in an impressive stint that helped the Spinners seal their third win in 10 games in the classification round.

"It’s a breakout game for him (Custodio), he’s been working hard in practice," said Magnolia coach Koy Banal.

The win, which snapped the team’s three-game skid, should give Magnolia the momentum it needs against Kettle Korn-UST when they meet in the first of the two-phase playoffs going into the quarterfinals starting next week.

"It’s a good confidence booster, it gives the players hopes going into the playoffs," said Banal, whose team needs two straight wins to advance to the quarters, four to the semis, seven to the finals and 10 to win it all.

"Is it possible? Maybe," said Banal, who actually steered Magnolia to 10 straight wins two years ago.

Kelvin Gregorio, another newcomer also from UE, led the Super Sealers with 15 points but none of his teammates scored more than seven points as they virtually kissed their semifinal hopes goodbye after absorbing their fourth loss against six wins.

Henkel-Sista also played without coach Caloy Garcia, who served a one-game suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct.

The pressure of winning for a playoff for one of the two outright spots in the semis also took its toll on the Super Sealers, who were held to just seven points in the first quarter and 13 in the next two.