Chris Tiu and Fil-Am Josh Vanlandingham came through with two free throws each in the last 11.5 seconds as Hapee Toothpaste stopped Pharex, 84-81, to clinch the last semis berth in the PBL PG-Flex Linoleum Cup at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig yesterday.
Jervy Cruz atoned for his so-so game the last time out as he churned out a double-double performance of 19 points and 10 rebounds although the Complete Protectors needed Tiu and Vanlandingham’s clutch free throws to secure the win and a berth in the next round.
Hapee thus joined five-time champion Harbour Centre, Magnolia Purewater and Bacchus in the Final Four with the Protectors taking on the Batang Pier in a best-of-five affair.
Aside from clinching an outright semis berth, Harbour Centre earned the right to choose its Final Four opponent with the Batang Pier picking the Complete Protectors, whom they beat in three final duels.
Though Tiu finished with only seven points, he played a big role in the team’s victory.
“I think Chris Tiu gave us a great help but we should give credit also to other players, especially our big guys like Jervy,” said Abanilla.
Tiu, who practiced with the team only last Monday, also had four rebounds and the same number of assists in 28 minutes of action.
“Definitely, Chris is committed to play until the end of the conference,” said Abanilla.
Magnolia takes on Bacchus in the other semis duel.
The Generix came into the game the slight favorites, having swept their last fives games, including Game 1 of their quarterfinal series with the Complete Protectors, 76-61, last Saturday.
But the Protectors refused to give up and stamped their class to build leads of as many as 35-22 in the second quarter.