CONSOLACION Sarok Weavers advanced to the best-of-three finals of the Manila Bankers Life-Pilipinas Super League 18-Under Visayas Leg after romping Dea’s Bakeshop x Rad in the playoff, 81-66, on Saturday at Cebu City Sports Institute.
The Sarok Weavers will face Sherilin Khalifa City of Naga, who swept all six games in the elimination phase, in the best-of-three final beginning next weekend.
The winner will advance to the nationals along with the champions of NCR, Luzon, and Mindanao in 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.
Behind the duo of Dale Otero and Jerome Arboiz, the Sarok Weavers were able to weather an early storm by DBxR, turning a 14-20 first quarter deficit into a 41-37 halftime lead.
It was all Consolacion from there, leading by as many as 15 points to advance to the final.
Otero showed the way with 23 points and nine rebounds while Arboiz got 20 points on 9-of-14 shooting with 10 boards.
DBxR badly missed the services of Michael Asoro, who returned to Manila to join Ateneo de Manila University in its preseason buildup.
Jose Marie Tumabang paced DBxR with 21 points.
In the Mindanao-South Leg over in Tagum City, Davao del Norte, Max Ballers Davao advanced to the leg finals while DavNor forced a decider against ISD Pacman.
Samuel Torres dropped 24 points, eight rebounds, and six assists to lead Davao to a 98-68 romp of Cantilan RP Gugmart in their semifinal bracket.
Meanwhile, the DavNor Future Legends ripped ISD Pacman, 93-75, with Koby Tamayo leading the way with 14 points, 14 rebounds, and seven blocks.
The winner of Mindanao South will face the champion of Mindanao North for the right to advance to the nationals. Mindanao North is still in its elimination round phase.
Over at the San Andres Gymnasium in Manila, Letran-Farm Fresh cruised past New Era, 96-77 to take its third straight win and solo lead in the NCR leg while Pampanga Pradera Theme Park dealt LDG San Pedro its first loss, 101-66, for a share of the Luzon leg lead after three games.
Far Eastern University-Diliman’s Veejay Pre went a perfect 9-of-9 from the field for 18 points to lead Pampanga while four other Cabalen’s scored in double-digits as well.
In other games held in Manila, Fin & Claw Grill routed NBS Kris, 86-60, to take solo second in NCR with a 3-1 slate while EZ Jersey Doc Boleros escaped upset-seeking Magnificent Manila, 96-92, to create a logjam at third to fifth with NBC Cris and Taytay with 2-1 slates.