Accenture dethrones Converters; Kyocera advances to finals

CEBU, Philippines — The Accenture Sharks ended the three-year dominance of the Converters after finishing off their rivals via a 69-58 decision in the deciding match of their best-of-three semifinals under the Elite Division of the Tanduay Athletics E-Leagues for Basketball Season 14 last Saturday at the City Sports Club-Cebu Gym.

It was a heart-warming  triumph for the Sharks, who courageously fought back after a series-opening debacle on the way to book their first ever trip to the finals where they will square off against the Sykes Pioneers.

Archie Brian Vincent Batua scattered 19 points, eight rebounds and four assists for the Sharks, who pummeled the Converters in the middle periods, 40-26, to take control of the match, 51-38, for good after three quarters.

Junas Marion Misa backed up Batua with 10 points, five assists, four boards and three steals.

The Converters stumbled despite a balanced attack by Jaime Pacquiao with 15 points.

Lourenz Limpangog had 12 points, 15 rebounds, three steals and two assists, Ildefonso Bulangis nailed 14 markers and Mark Joel Bacho scored 10 for the Converters, who have been relegated to a battle for third place against the Teleperformance Vipers.

In the EVO League, the Kyocera Frontiers also completed a great escape against the Contact Solutions Flying Lemurs, 61-57,in the rubbermatch of their own race-to-2 duel.

Matthew Grafilo showed the way for the Frontiers with 21 points laced with five rebounds, five assists and four steals.

Eliot Emerson Uy pitched in 11 points for the Frontiers, who have a mountain to climb against the undefeated Dreamscape Lions in their best-of-three title showdown.

The Flying Lemurs, on the other hand, will go up against Author Solutions Philippines Inc. (ASPI) Hardbacks for the third place trophy. (FREEMAN)