Harley Davidson Batch 2012, Core+ Batch 2018 a win away from return to the finals in SHAABAA

CEBU, Philippines,— Harley Davidson Batch 2012 and Core+ Batch 2018 downed separate rivals to move one win away from a return to the division finals of the Sacred Heart Ateneo Alumni Basketball Athletic Association (SHAABAA) Season 29 last Sunday, June 28, at the Sacred Heart School-Ateneo de Cebu (SHS-AdC) Magis Eagles Arena in Barangay Canduman, Mandaue City.

Adven Jess Diputado nearly had a triple-double with 26 points, 14 assists and seven rebounds while Dave Wilson Yu added 22 points, seven rebounds, and six assists as the Division B defending champions Batch 2012 outgunned the Nest Workspaces Batch 2013, 93-82, in the opener of their best-of-three semifinals series.

Julius Cadavis also figured prominently for Batch 2012 with a double-double of 19 points and 14 rebounds .

In the other semis matchup, Gabe Branzuela exploded for 37 points with six rebounds, nine assists, seven steals and two blocks as the Hatch IT Solutions Batch 2010 upended the ‘04 The Win Batch 2004, 92-81, to inch closer to the championship.

Branzuela got huge support from Jasper Diaz with 21 points 19 rebounds, four assists, one steal, and two blocks, while Dell Tan and Charles Divinagracia  made their presence felt with a combined 28 points for Batch 2010.

In Division C, reigning champions Batch 2018 bolstered their title retention bid after trouncing FADI Batch 2021, 86-68.

Franz Ray Diaz led four Batch 2018 players in double figures with 18 points, eight rebounds, and three assists.

Patrick Wilson Yu and Benedict Andre Chua both posted a double-double, while Christian Manaytay contributed 13 points, five rebounds, and three assists for Batch 2018. Yu filled the stat sheet with 15 points, 12 rebounds, five assists and two steals while Chua tallied 13 markers and the same number of rebounds with four assists and three steals.

In the other result, Anton Chua dropped 24 points and a triple five of rebounds, assists, and steals as the BRX Batch 2015 drew first blood against Batch 2014, 86-72.

Chaz Cokaliong complemented Chua’s effort with 17 points, two rebounds, one assist, and a steal. Janjan Jaboneta and Nino Araw-araw scored 16 points each even as they also connived for 14 rebounds, nine assists and five steals for Batch 2015. — (FREEMAN)