Warriors, Greywolves close in on Coke PBA semis

CEBU, Philippines - Team Warriors and Greywolves made their move, while idle leaders Lancers and Easternians took a day off at the Coca Cola PBA Youngstars Basketball Tournament 2013 Cebu Leg. The Warriors trashed Perfect Sports Outfit/One on One, 91-51, while the Greywolves surprised Team Eagles, 46-41, to inch closer to semifinals in their respective groups.

The Warriors jumped to a 32-15 lead at halftime after a relatively slow start, and the lead was stretched to 54-36 after three quarters to put the game out of reach. Clint Suelto led the Warriors with 20 points while Carlo Ortega added 16.

In the other game, the Greywolves stunned the Eagles who were caught off guard by their hungrier foes. The Greywolves jumped to a 14-5 lead at the end of the first period and a 25-17 halftime lead. The Eagles rallied to close the gap to 32-30 after three periods, but the Greywolves ground it out in the fourth period to score the morale-boosting win. Vinchenzo Ortega led a balanced attack with 13 points.

In other games, Team Panthers won over Golden Dragons, 56-31, while Team Jaguars outlasted the ACES, 56-42.

The Lancers still lead Group A with a 3-0 card followed by the Greywolves (2-1), Eagles (2-1), Jaguars (1-2) and ACES (0-4). Group B has the Warriors and Easternians tied at the top with 3-0 slates. PSO/One on One and Team Panthers are at 1-2 with Golden Dragons at 0-4.

Going into the last day of the classification phase, the Eagles need to win against the Lancers to create a triple tie along with the Greywolves and make it to the semifinals. The Warriors and Easternians have already qualified for the semifinals and will face off against each other for the top seed from Group B.

The Cebu leg is one of 12 provincial tournaments that kicked off this annual summer league. The Cebu champion will face the champions from Bacolod and Iloilo in the Visayas Regional Finals which will be held in Cebu on May 10-11 at the Capitol Parish Gym. The Visayas champion qualifies for the national finals slated May 19-26 in Manila. (PR) (FREEMAN)