Unbeaten Cebu Landmasters Batch 2003, ARQ Batch 2001 on cusp of Division A finals

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu Landmasters Batch 2003 and ARQ Batch 2001 beat their respective rivals to put themselves on the doorstep of Division A finals in the Sacred Heart Ateneo Alumni Basketball Athletic Association (SHAABAA) Season 29 at the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles Arena in Barangay Canduman, Mandaue City.

Justin Huang fired 28 points with eight rebounds and one assist while Daryle Tan dished out a double-double of 21 points and 15 rebounds with four steals and one assist as Batch 2003 crushed the Big Three Pizza Batch 1996, 79-61, in the opener of their best-of-three semifinals series.

Batch 2003 trailed by five, 18-23, after the first period but after forging a 33-all deadlock at halftime, they completely blew away Batch 1996 in the second half, leading by as much as 20 points, 79-59, in the waning moments. 

Roderick Mangubat finished with 16 points, four rebounds, and one assist while Paulsen Uy had 10 points but to no avail for Batch 1996.

In the other semis duel, Jason Arquisola came up with 16 points, eight rebounds, and four steals as Batch 2001 drew first blood over the Core Pacific, 62-56.

Mark Hing posted a double-double of 13 points and 10 rebounds while Wendell Ong added 10 points and four rebounds for Batch 2001, which saw its 22-point advantage, 46-24, early in the third quarter evaporate.

Batch 2003, however, held their ground against a spirited resistance by Core Pacific to escape with a rousing six-point victory.

Ex-pro Joel Co paced Core Pacific with 26 points,15 rebounds, and four assists while Jeremy Huang nailed 10 markers with five rebounds, and one assist in a losing effort. – EBV