The underdogs of the Manila Bankers Life-Pilipinas Super League Pro Division Second Conference Dumper Cup, Pampanga Royce Hotel and the G Lanterns, pulled off stunning upsets against their more favored opponents in Monday night’s semifinal matches, taking them one step closer to the championship game.
Pampanga Royce Hotel dominated the defending champions, Davao Occidental-Cocolife, with a score of 98-74 in Game 1 of their best-of-three series.
Led by Theo Flores, who scored 19 points and snatched two rebounds, Pampanga Royce showed no mercy against their bewildered opponents.
Jolo Mendoza also made a significant contribution with 15 points, including four three-pointers.
Meanwhile, Allen Liwag and Will Gozum added 12 and 10 points, respectively.
The G Lanterns also shocked their opponents, the previously unbeaten San Juan, with a score of 93-83 in their Last Four duel.
Six-foot-nine big man Justine Baltazar led the way with a double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds, along with four assists.
Louie Sangalang added 15 points and eight rebounds, while Archie Concepcion and Michael Galicia scored 12 and 11 points, respectively.
The surprising wins of these two teams put them just one win away from the championship game.
Pampanga Royce Hotel will try to finish off Davao Occidental-Cocolife in the second game of their race-to-2 series at the Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga.
The G Lanterns will also have a chance to secure their spot in the finals later in the day.
This year’s tournament, presented by Dumper party-list, Winzir, and Skin Care Depot, co-presented by SCD Cosmetics, and supported by various companies, including NET 25, Adcon, Wcube Solutions Inc., MDC, Unisol, Don Benitos, and Finn Cotton, is expected to be one of the most exciting events in Philippine basketball. The league’s commissioner, PBA and Gilas Pilipinas great Marc Pingris, is also adding his expertise to the mix.
The scores
First game
PAMPANGA ROYCE 98 – J. Flores 19, Mendoza 15, Liwag 12, Gozum 10, Navarro 9, Palencia 8, Verano 8, Huang 6, Bahio 3, Fornillos 2, C. Flores 2, Villapando 2, Cullar 2, Yambing 0, Tolentino 0.
DAVAO OCCIDENTAL-COCOLIFE 74 – Dagangon 17, Subido 12, Abundo 10, Wilson 8, Jimenez 4, Balagtas 4, Custodio 4, Agovida 4, Sorela 3, Rodriguez 2, Celiz 2, Mag-Isa 2, Cruz 1, Talampas 1, Calo 0.
Quarters: 23-11, 59-24, 78-49, 98-74.
Second game
PAMPANGA G LANTERNS 93 – Baltazar 16, Sangalang 15, Concepcion 12, Galicia 11, Pambid 9, Reyson 8, Caralipio 8, Binuya 8, R. Santos 4, K. Santos 2, Del Rosario 0, Celada 0, Jamito 0.
SAN JUAN 83 – Wamar 14, Yu 12, Nocum 11, Calahat 9, Calisaan 8, Javillonar 8, Taywan 7, Soberano 5, Dennison 4, Marquez 3, Cosari 2, Mojica 0, Panganiban 0, Tajonera 0.
Quarters: 29-20, 52-35, 72-54, 93-83.
