CEBU - Unilink Shipping upended the highly favored Ave Maria Sanctuary Park, 99-85, to advance into the finals of the Vic Enterprises Invitational Basketball League at the CEC gym.
Thus, Unilink set up a titular showdown with Golden Lines in a winner-take-all affair next week.
Unilink started the game with a 27-15 bang, but Ave Maria led by ex-pro Marlon Piodo rallied back in the second canto to pull within a hairline, 40-41, at halftime.
However, Unilink went back to usual business and battered Ave Maria in the third canto to restore a commanding 15-point advantage. Ave Maria never recovered from there.
Ricky Labajo paced Unilink with 29 points event as three others cashed in double figures. Aaron Pancho chipped in 24 points followed by Grogard and Baclay with 19 and 15, respectively.
Freddie Latosa topscored for Ave Maria with 32 markers.
The scores
Unilink (99) - Labajo 29, Pancho 24, Grogard 19, Baclay 15, Caparas 6, E. Aniñon 6
Ave Maria (85) - Latosa 32, Desuyo 18, Senining 16, Rodriguez 6, Estudillo 4, Pogoy 4, Rances 4, Salacut. – GGM (The Freeman)