The Danao Pistols shoot down the Toledo Dream, 88-84, to keep their semifinal hopes alive and in contrast, put the Cebu City Niños’ out of contention in the 1st Inter-City Cup Basketball Challenge last Saturday at the Danao City Sports and Civic Center.
The Pistols, thus, bettered their win-loss to 4-6. The Niños, who are languishing at the cellar with only two victories in eight games, hope to have a graceful exit when they travel to Bogo to face the Bogoys.
Former CIT Wildcats spitfire Tito Batulan led the Pistols with 23 points.
The game went close the rest of the way with Danao leading by only a hairline at the break, 45-44. The Pistols outscored the Dream by three points, 20-17, in the fourth period to escape with a precarious four-point win.
Lapu-Lapu, Bogo (7-2) and Talisay (6-4) are already assured of semifinal berths. The fourth and last slot into the next round is still a wide open race although the closest to make it is Danao.
The scores
Danao (88) - Batulan 23, Paradiang 21, Into 13, Toledo 10, Capoy 10, Dumangcas 4, Almaden 3, Belicario 2
Toledo (84) - Repollo 23, L. Canillo 29, A. Canillo 18, Venteroso 6, Barcenas 5, Mancao 3 Halftime: 45-44 (GGM)