Cebu Fortune forges rubber in M. Lhuillier U-21 hoop

Cebu Fortune of Lapu-Lapu City rode on lucky breaks in the closing seconds of the game to stun the twice-to-beat Salazar Colleges of Science and Institute of Technology (SCSIT) Baby Skyblazers, 84-80, in the 4th M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Under-21 Developmental Basketball League at the Consolacion Sports Complex.

Games on Saturday

(Looc Gym, Mandaue City)

Quarterfinals

8:00 am UV-Mandaue vs. CIT

9:30 am SCSIT vs. Cebu Fortune

Cebu Fortune, thus, forged a sudden-death match with SCSIT Baby Skyblazers of coach Jojo Romarate at 9:30 on Saturday at the Brgy. Looc Gym in Mandaue City. The winner will join MLSDF selection and Agukoy National High School of Consolacion into the crossover semifinal round.

With the score tied at 80-all with 32 ticks left before the final buzzer, SCSIT fouled Bongganciso, who just split his charities to give Cebu Fortune a shaky 81-80 lead.

In the return play, Cebu Fortune’s Harlou Villanil was whistled for a foul against SCSIT’s I. Tampus. Fortunately for the Lapu-Lapu hoopsters, Tampus muffed both his twin gift shots.

After Cebu Fortune grabbed the defensive rebound, Cañares finally plunged the dagger on SCSIT’s heart by darting in a 3-pointer to settle the final tally.

It was actually a tightly-fought battle for most of the way. Cebu Fortune opened an eight-point lead, 22-14, but the Baby Skyblazers slowly crept back to even the count at 61-all at the end of the third period.

The scores

Cebu Fortune (84) - Cañares 18, Villanil 17, Bongganciso 16, Solis 14, Salazar 9, Cruda 6, Lacuña 4,

SCSIT (80) - C. Tampus 24, I. Tampus 20, Amarado 19, Violango 6, Rabaya 5, Villamor 4, Ong 2

Quarterscores:22-14, 41-40, 61-all, 84-80 —EBV