Kartabz, VRJ Eng'g set up title duel in PPSA hoopla

Kartabz and VRJ Engineering dumped separate foes to set up a title showdown in the 40-above division of the Punta Princesa Sports Association (PPSA) basketball tournament at Vicente Sotto Memorial Gym.

Kartabz hacked out an 87-69 victory over Smart Tires, while VRJ Engineering scored a lopsided 80-68 win to nose out Jonfer Enterprises.

Both teams fought evenly in the first three periods with Lito Posadas scoring all of his 10 points to forge a 59-all deadlock heading into the final quarter.

However, Kartabz broke away by unloading a 28-11 run in the windup behind the efforts of Norwen Honoridez.

Toto Lawas and Rey Lopez fired 15 and 12 points, respectively, for Kartabz, while Honoridez, Posadas and Diego Padogdog combined for 30 points.

Panis Gerali top scored for the losing team with 21 points.

In the other semifinal battle, Dodong Rosaroso drilled 20 markers for VRJ. Playmaker Michael Arias chipped in 13 points, while Amor Ciabo and Freddie Garnada added 10 points apiece.

Meanwhile, CEC batch '60s will square off with the 40-above PPSA selection in a friendly encounter prior to the championship game tomorrow.

The scores
First game
Kartabz (87) - Lawas 15, Lopez 12, Honoridez 10, Posadas 10, Padogdog 10, Cortez 7, Ibo 6, Nabua 6, Gabato
4, Labra 4, Egpyt 3, Delos Santos 1
SMART (69) - Gerali 21, Despi 10, Dayondon 10, Nazareno 6, Igao 5, Cabreros 5, Daclan 4, Mercader 3, Tabar 2, Desoyo 2, Ibona a1

Second game
VRJ (80) - Rosaroso 20, Arias 13, Ciabo 10, Granada 10, Yncierto 8, Tañeza 5, Dacayana 4, Mata 4, Porio 2, Bacla-an 2, Atillo 2
Jonfer (68) - Gaviola 17, Migrasao 13, Sotes 12, Abellar 6, Petallar 5, Lazaga 3, Leuterio 2, Baisac 2, Beltran 2, Ando 2, Bucton 2, Abonitalla 2