CEBU, Philippines - Lite Shipping and Cebu Movers System (CMS) demolished separate rivals to arrange a best-of-three finals showdown in the Lucio "Guy" Lim, Sr. Memorial basketball tournament at the City Sports Club-Cebu gym.
Lite Shipping, the top qualifier, reasserted its mastery over FAL Shipping, 81-52, while the second-ranked CMS of playing coach Dr. Boy Te whipped Aisle Marine Services, 86-68.
The opener of the race-to-2 series will be played this Sunday still at the same venue.
Except for a 7-10 deficit in the first few minutes of the game, Lite Shipping of team owner Niño Imboy never trailed again and led by as much as 28 points at the end of the third period courtesy of a buzzer-beater jumper by Eming Batarilan, who finished with 18 points.
It was, however, Allan Cabral who topscored for Lite Shipping with 32 points as they extended their winning streak to six in a row.
On the other hand, Franco Te exploded with 22 points for CMS, while Vincent Reyes and Juanito Sasing heavily backed him up with 20 and 16 points, respectively.
The scores
First game
Lite Shipping (81) - Cabral 32, Batarilan 18, N. Imboy 5, Sinoy 4, Iway 4, Banados 4, Cabanas 4, Pingkian 4, J. Imboy 3, Sepe 3
FAL Shipping (52) - Borja 10, Madrelino 10, Tumulak 10, Tubli 5, Claret 5, Molina 4,Chan 4, N. Tumulak 1, Mondejar 1
Second game
CMS (86) - F. Te 22, Reyes 20, Sasing 16, Ocampo 12, B. Te 6, Amoroto 4, Capapas 2
Aisle Marine (68) - W. Ogue 18, Manigque 16, Baguio 14, Econas 6, Sencil 5, Gimena 3, Trinidad 2, N. Ogue 2, Ledesma 2 (THE FREEMAN)