The MLSDF selection banked on a furious second-half assault to terminate Agukoy National High School-Consolacion, 85-70, and advance into the championship of the 4th M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala Under-21 Developmental Basketball League at the Brgy. Looc Gym in Mandaue City.
Phil Mercader, who spearheaded MLSDF’s fiery uprising in the final two quarters, topscored with 21 points, while Mikee Cabahug, son of multi-titled UV Green Lancers coach Elmer “Boy” Cabahug, chipped in 12 markers as they moved one step closer from clinching the covered title of the two-month tilt.
Epoy Cabahug also cashed in a dozen points for MLSDF, which had a lackluster start resulting into a three-point deficit at halftime, 35-38.
The MLSDF stalwarts started to pick up their offensive rhythm in the third period where they upstaged the Agukoy side, 21-11, to erase the deficit and gain a seven-point headway, 56-49, heading into the final period.
MLSDF was in full command of the match from that point on and finished off Agukoy with a 29-21 rally in the windup.
MLSDF now awaits the winner of the other sudden-death semis duel between the Salazar Colleges of Science and Institute of Technology (SCSIT) Skyblazers and the Pycnogenol-backed Cebu Institute of Technology (CIT) Wildkittens. —EBV