Sherilin Khalifa City of Naga completed an eight-game sweep of the Manila Bankers Life-Pilipinas Super League 18-Under Visayas Leg, capping their run with a 71-62 win over the Consolacion Sarok Weavers in Game 2 of the Finals on Sunday at the Cebu City Sports Institute.
The team based in Naga, which swept the elimination round to secure a spot in the finals, took control of the game against the Sarok Weavers in Game One on Saturday, winning 66-61.
Sherilin Khalifa City now awaits the champions of the NCR, Luzon, and Mindanao legs in the final phase of this tournament, co-presented by SCD and Dumper party-list, and supported by J Project Clothings, MDC, Bluesky Advertising, NET 25, Wcube Solutions Inc., Hotel SOGO, and Converge.
In a closely contested game in the final 10 minutes, Peter Peteros sparked a 9-0 run that turned a 53-52 deficit into a 61-53 lead with 7:10 remaining.
Sherilin Khalifa City relied on its defense, shutting down any rally attempts by Consolacion to secure the championship.
Peteros, who was limited to just six points in Game 1, bounced back with 19 points, eight rebounds, and three steals in the clincher.
Allen Gako (12 points, six assists), Francis Dollente (11 points, seven rebounds), Vince Mananquil (10 points, 11 rebounds), and Lawrence Mangubat (10 points, six rebounds) also made significant contributions for Sherilin Khalifa City.
Ej Herbito led the runners-up with 17 points and six rebounds, while Jerome Arboiz and Dale Otero scored 13 points each. All three came off the bench.
The starters for the Sarok Weavers were absent in the crucial match, combining for just 11 points.
In NCR Leg action at La Consolacion College Gymnasium, EZ Jersey Doc Boleros took sole possession of second place after ending 521 Trading-Mapua’s three-game winning streak with a 91-79 victory.
Markkian Danag was outstanding in the game, scoring 27 points on an efficient 11-of-20 shooting. Amiel Acido from Perpetual Help added 16 points for Doc Boleros, who improved to 4-1, trailing leg-leader Farm Fresh-Letran by half a game.
Sean Salvador led the Red Robins with 19 points.
In the other NCR leg game, New Era University improved their record to 2-4 for their first winning streak after defeating Magnificent Manila with a 109-102 decision.
Earlier at the same Manila venue, Prince Shey Palma kept Bagong Cabuyao’s final four hopes alive, leading his team to a 102-84 victory over LDG-San Pedro.
Palma finished the game with 35 points, three rebounds, three assists, and three steals, giving the Titans a 3-2 record for sole fourth place in the nine-team leg.
Luid Kampampangan also suffered a 77-91 upset at the hands of Bulacan.
It was a crucial win for Bagong Cabuyao as they gained a half-game lead over Luid Kapampangan while dropping San Pedro to a 2-3 record, the same record held by Batang Lakan ng Bulacan.
Shad Chang’s 37-point performance for LDG-San Pedro went in vain.