Euro-Med smothers Mighty, firms up bid

MANILA, Philippines - Euro-Med firmed up its bid for an outright seat in the semifinal round as it trampled Mighty Sports, 87-73, in the PCBL Chairman’s Cup at the Marikina Sports Center late Wednesday.

Ex-pro Eloy Poligrates sizzled with 23 points, including clutch hits that stymied the Mighty Sports comeback in the fourth while Ola Adeogun dished out a double-double of 21 points and 14 rebounds.

Jeff Tajonora also came off the bench to fire 10 markers, including three triples as Euro-Med notched its sixth victory against five defeats in this tournament supported by Ambucore, LGR, Hahn Manila, Gerry’s Grill, During’s Barbeque and Restaurant, and Spalding.

Euro-Med moved up to fourth behind third placer Byaheng SCTEX (6-4) and second running Jumbo Plastic, which routed import-less Supremo Lex, 75-46, in the other game to hike its record to 7-4.

Mighty Sports has actually secured the No. 1 spot in the semis and played without its main star Kiefer Ravena, who is set to leave for the US for another series of training in preparation for his pro debut.

Despite Ravena’s absence, Mighty Sports dominated the early going, leading by as many as 38-27, but failed to neutralize Euro-Med’s strong fightback and stronger finishing kick and took its second loss against nine wins.

Poligrates sparked a crippling 13-0 as Euro-Med grabbed the upperhand at the half, 47-45, and went on to post a 62-45 bulge on another stirring 15-0 run led by former San Mig Coffee guard Lester Alvarez.