Starmen go for Gonzales Cup final

MANILA, Philippines - Foiled the last time out, The Philippine STAR tries again tonight, taking on the Philippine National Police for the first finals berth in the 2012 Cong. Neptali “Boyet” Gonzales Cup at the RTU gym in Mandaluyong.

The Starmen squandered a seven-point lead in regulation and dropped a sorry 91-98 double overtime loss last Thursday, enabling the police squad to force a sudden death for a berth in the championship round.

Gametime is at 6:30 p.m.

Philstar topped the elims to gain a twice-to-beat incentive in the Final Four and looked headed for a romp to the finals when it surged to a seven-point lead with 42 seconds left in regulation.

But PNP struck back as Dennis Escalona and Julius Criste combined for four points and former PBA player Estong Ballesteros hit a triple while holding the Starmen scoreless in the stretch to force the extension.

Lester Reyes, Mario Geocada and Ver Roque combined for 53 points for Philstar, handled by coach Alfred Bartolome and manager Mike Maneze.

Nougat matched PNP’s win as it stopped No. 2 Gerry’s Grill to likewise force a rubber match in their own side of the Final Four.

Former MLQU standout Alvin Vitug scored 20 points while James Mangaran and King Go added 16 and 14 points, respectively, for Nougat. Paolo Orbeta led Gerry’s Grill with 20 points.

Gerry’s Grill and Nougat dispute the other championship berth at 8 p.m.

MCAA athletics director Mikel Perey said the finals will be a best-of-three series.