CEBU, Philippines – The King Properties survived a furious fourth quarter rally by RNM2 to score a 73-65 victory in the opener of their best-of-three finals and move a win away from clinching the championship of the first Contractors Basketball League the other day at the Cebu City Sports Institute in Barangay San Nicolas, this city.
King Properties banked on the deadly trio of James Cabardo, Marko Velasquez and Virgin Meriz to pull off a solid end game finish to outclass the RNM2. Cabardo led the scoring with 15 points, while Velasquez carded in 13 points as Meriz added 12 points.
After maintaining a double-digits lead in the first three quarter, King Properties wasn’t able to protect the lead as RNM2 led by Bryan Toledo and Royce Abao managed to cut the deficit to two points, 63-61 with eight minutes remaining in the game.
But King Properties kept their composure as they staged another rally that final put the game away.
In the battle for third place, JM Salera slammed the Mecu Fire PRO, 88-52.
The Scores:
Kings Properties (73) — Cabardo 15 Vasquez 13, Meriz 12, Rosaluna 10, Mirasol 7, Pavo 6 Mellomida 2, Adlawan 2, Zulueta 2
RNM2 (65) — Toledo 16, Abao 14, Maratas 7, Caballes 9, Pasculado 9, Nacario 6 — LPM (FREEMAN)