LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The G-String Cup, main promoter of the Strawberry Cup, was already famous for its balanced competition, is again experiencing the rise of the underdogs this season as the darkhorses continue to produce upsets of higher seeded teams at the continuation of the playoffs.
Fifth seeded Isaac sends the F semis to sudden death as they bagged game one of their semifinals match against Legalized Baguio, 92-88, last July 1. It was Isaac’s second victory over Legalized Baguio in the tournament having beaten them 102-92 in the eliminations. Earlier, Isaac eliminated fourth seed Brethren, 79-69, in the quarterfinals.
Not to be outdone, sixth seed Bryan, which finished 3-4 in the eliminations, followed suit to do the same by stopping second seed PROCOR (5-2), 91-86 in game one of their semifinals face-off to also set the rubber match. Bryan, 82-93 losers to PROCOR in the eliminations, sent home third seed La Amistad Wangz in the quarterfinals, 85-75.
Agi-Kabayan, who finished 4-4 in the eliminations, send its Bracket I semis match-up with top seed LTMPS (7-1) to sudden death with a 71-61 game one victory. Agi-Kabayan, who lost badly to LTMPS in the eliminations, 47-63, knocked out fourth seeded North, 79-69, in the quarterfinals.
Adrylle Khan completed the day of the underdogs by getting their only win of the tournament in upending Isaac in the 40s bracket. The game, however, did not have a bearing in the standings as Isaac has already been assured of the top seeding while Adrylle Khan is out of running for a playoff spot.
In the meantime, Gardenville and K11 avoided the upset rush and hold fort of their higher billing. Gardenville routed the Farmers Trading Zone, 77-60, to barge into the finals of Bracket H while K11 whacked the Avengers-Isaiah 41:10, 94-65, to do the same in Bracket G.
In the 40s Bracket, Isaac got an 80-68 victory over the Isaiah 7:14 Bulldogs in the last game of the bracket to complete its elimination round with only one loss and secure the top seed going into the playoffs. Isaac is set to meet the Amigos in the semis while the Bulldogs will draw the PhilAm Dongla Unit in the other match-up.
On the other hand, The Isaiah 7:14 Bulldogs outlasted the Kapangan Sons, 90-83, to finish second and grab twice-to-beat advantage in the 35Up Bracket. That gives the Bulldogs game one of their converted best of three affair semis face-off .
By: ARMANDO M. BOLISLIS
