Strikers, Steel book semis berths

MANILA, Philippines — Bacoor City and Basilan-Jumbo Plastic punched their way to the 2019-2020 Chooks-to-Go/MPBL Lakan Season South Division semifinals after sweeping their opponents Monday night at the Lamitan Gym.

The second-seeded Strikers eked out a 69-60 win over No. 7 General Santos-Burlington while the third-ranked Steel took a 70-63 win over seventh place Iloilo-United as both completed a 2-0 quarterfinal mop-up to set up a best-of-three Final Four clash.

Oping Sumalinog and Nick Demusis led Bacoor’s attack with 16 and 11 markers, respectively, while reigning MVP Gab Banal uncorked nine points, three rebounds, seven assists and two steals.

“We’re not the most talented team in the league but our effort counts twice,” said Sumalinog as Bacoor leaned on a killer rally in last two minutes to erect a comfortable 69-58 cushion heading home.

Later on, Gilas Pilipinas pool member Allyn Bulanadi had a triumphant return to Basilan, scoring five of the home team’s last seven points to avoid a winner-take-all Game 3 and earn the right to challenge Bacoor for a finals seat in the South Division.

Bulanadi finished with 11 markers and five boards, including the game’s biggest trey in the last minute although Jay Collado carried much of the load early on to finish with 18 markers, 10 boards and three assists.

Meanwhile, four teams, including last year’s runner-up Davao Occidental-Cocolife figure in a pair of do-or-die matches today at the Davao City Recreation Center.

The top-seeded Southern team Tigers seek to get the job done against the feisty No. 8 squad Bicol-LCC Stores in the main game at 9 p.m. following an equally explosive curtain raiser at 7 p.m., pitting No. 4 Batangas City-Tanduay and No. 5 Zamboanga-Family’s Brand Sardines.