BAGUIO CITY – Red secured a semis slot by knocking out Alejo, 113-111, in overtime last Sunday, March 11, at the Piraso Resort Basketball court, here, during the final stretch of the 4th Piraso Cup that decided the four teams who will advance in the tournament.
The match involved a running game with both squads engaged in a blitz-like offensive strategy in going for the hoop.
Red roared ahead, posting a 28-21 first canto advantage. Alejo, however, gave Red a dose of their own medicine and answered with a 29-24 second canto run to end the first half of play just down by two, 50-52, at the halftime.
Third canto action saw Alejo maintain their momentum inside and beyond the arc as they continued to pour basket conversions to win the quarter, 27-20, and grabbed a four-point lead going to the fourth,77-73.
Red’s control the boards in the fourth canto keyed their recovery and engineered a 23-19 output that equalized the score, 96-all, as the final regulation buzzer sounded, forcing an overtime.
As the action heated during extra period, both teams equally placed their strategies on the floor until the dying seconds where they are still tied at 111-all, with a 2nd overtime highly likely.
However, with the odds on their side, the Red had possession and converted the chance with a successful offensive play with a foul to boot that send the Red’s in the fifteen foot line. The sequence gave Red a two point insurance basket, a lead, 113-111, and a ticket to the final four.
The top four teams, Time Out, Red, Hangover and Brothers Club, will duel today, Sunday, March 18, 2018 at 9:00 in the morning to determine who will see action on for the Final Round.
By: BOBBY VINLUAN