The CUBA Kings upended Wealth Bank, 78-59, to march into the championship round of the 2008 Cebu United Bankers Association (CUBA) First Conference Basketball Tournament last Saturday at the Our Lady of Sacred Heart Parish gym along Escario Street, this city.
The two protagonists fought on even terms at the start resulting into a 24-all deadlock, but the Kings staged a daring breakaway in the second period to take the lead at halftime, 45-33, for good.
The Kings kept on pounding on Wealth Bank to pad its lead to 17 points, 63-46, entering the final stretch. Wealth Bank was groping for form the rest of the way.
The Kings now await the winner of this Saturday’s sudden-death match between the CUBA Nets and Allied Bank.
Allied Bank lived and fight for another day after defeating the twice-to-beat CUBA Nets, 67-56.
The scores
First game
Kings (78) - Solon 19, Letrero 11, Yap 10, Macaling 9, Dabon 8, Aparri 7, Castillo 7, Chua 5, Cortes 2
Wealth Bank (59) - Osorio 15, Allera 11, Sigua 10, Rizada 7, Navarro 6, Dominguez 4, Ortiz 4, Mirafuentes 2
Quarterscores:24-24, 45-33, 63-46, 78-59
Second game
Allied Bank (67) - Zeigfield 15, Nemenzo 12, Palarca 10, Mancera 8, Adolfo 7, Lamic 6, Yu 5, Andre 2, Ong 2
Nets (56) - Rosal 14, Batucan 12, Bacalla 11, Solermo 8, Malahay 7, Bacalla 4
Quarterscores:25-10, 40-22, 57-36, 67-56 – EBV