By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Ilonggo basketball fans, are you ready for another basketball treat?
After a successful semifinal stage of the JB Amateur Basketball League (JB ABL) Season III ‘School Wars’ college varsity category, two teams stood tall and will clash for the ultimate prize.
The University of San Agustin Golden Eagles made it this far after taking down the higher-seeded Western Institute of Technology (WIT) Tangerine, 82-69, during the first scheduled JB ABL knockout semifinals.
Meanwhile, the undefeated Central Philippine University (CPU) Golden Lions continued its dominance and finished off the Iloilo Doctor’s College (IDC) Medics, 85-53.
The Golden Eagles had to dig deep during their win against WIT when they found themselves in deep trouble after trailing early in the game.
WIT enjoyed an early double-digit lead when The Golden Eagles had a salty shooting but once the high-flying Franc Tono took over in the third quarter, everything got going for San Agustin.
Aside from Tono’s explosion, veteran guard Giann Nahine also showed up when San Agustin needed him most and knocked down the much-needed three-pointers.
WIT’s shooting woes then allowed the Golden Eagles to extend their lead to double digits with Erjohn Hermogino providing crucial baskets midway in the final canto.
On the other hand, the Golden Lions survived a hot start from the Medics and finished strong to keep their JB ABL record untainted.
Elcyd Pascual was a man on a mission and went unconscious from the three-point line after a splash party in the third quarter.
Pascual’s three consecutive treys in the same right elbow spot proved to be the early exclamation point that helped the Golden Lions pull away.
Despite defensive adjustments from the Medics coaching staff, the Golden Lions were just too much and bullied their way in the paint to set up the grand finals with the Golden Eagles.
