Uratex rallies to edge Kawasaki for QF seat

MANILA, Philippines - Uratex Foam scored a come-from-behind 110-106 overtime victory over Kawasaki Marikina to earn the right to face Sta. Lucia in the second quarterfinal phase of the fourth DELeague Invitational basketball tournament at the Marikina Sports Center in Marikina City over the weekend.

Von Pambeling took charge in the fourth as Uratex battled back from 77-90 down with 9:21 left to play behind a 24-11 run as the Foam Makers sent the game into overtime at 101. 

Jack Corpuz then stepped up in extension, scoring the go-ahead basket and grabbing a pair of crucial rebounds to anchor Uratex’s victory. Pambeling topscored with 30 points while Corpuz finished with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds.

In the other Saturday result, Supremo Lex Builders-OLFU defeated Philippine National Police, 93-86, to arrange a clash with two-time defending champion Hobe-JVC.

Hobe-JVC and Sta. Lucia, however, will have the twice-to-beat advantages against Supremo and Uratex in quarterfinals 2 after finishing on top in Group A.

Team Mercenary, on the other hand, thrashed MBL Selection, 95-69, while FEU-NRMF ousted Cars Unlimited, 85-65, last Sunday to remain in contention in the league supported by Marikina Mayor Del De Guzman.

The Mercenaries of playing coach Nic Belasco will take on the Sealions while the Tamaraws will square off with the Siargao Legends of two-time PBA MVP Willie Miller.

The Sealions and Siargao Legends enjoy twice-to-beat edges against their respective rivals after finishing 1-2 in Group B.

Meanwhile, the league, sponsored by PCA Marivalley, St. Anthony Hospital, PS Bank Blue Wave Marquinton Branch, Luyong Restaurant Concepcion, Mckie’s Equipment Sales and Rental, Cars Unlimited- Fairview Auto Sale and Tutor 101, will give way to the hosting of Marikina City to the sixth ASEAN School Games on Nov. 30 at the Marikina Sports Center and will resume on Dec. 7.