Downs Lion Tiger to set up title match with Prime Asia Kia races into finals

CEBU, Philippines - Spunky playmaker Floyd Taboada charted a game-high 26 points and Jestoni Baclaan chipped in 15 as the Kia Motors/CIT-U Wildcats turned back the Lion Tiger Katol/USJ-R Jaguars, 78-74, to book the remaining championship ticket in the 6th CESAFI Partner's Cup men's basketball tournament last night at the Cebu Coliseum.

Vincent Menguito finished with only eight points, but stole part of the show as he calmly sank the insurance free throws that earned Kia Motors the right to challenge the topseed Prime Asia Lending-UV Lancers in the best-of-five title showdown that will begin on Tuesday yet.

The game went close for most part of the first three quarters that was accounted for seven deadlocks, the last was at 46-all on Banjo Capillar's 3-pointer as Kia Motors made a 9-2 rally to post a 55-48 lead with 2:30 left in the third period.

Lion Tiger slowly clawed back its way to eventually wrest the driver's seat, 66-65, at the final 3:53 mark. The USJ-R Jaguars-manned squad had its last taste of lead at 68-67 as Kia Motors reponded with a 8-2 blitz to take a 75-70 edge with 47 seconds left to play.

Still, Lion Tiger put up one courageous stand, with James Regalado drilling in back-to-back baskets to pull his side within just a hairline, 74-75, with 18 seconds to go.

After Axel Rabaya split his charities to make it 76-74 for Kia Motors, Lion Tiger had a chance to force a deadlock or even snatch the lead, but Capillar muffed a wide open triple.

In the ensuing sequence, Menguito was quickly fouled by Regalado in an effort to buy time. Menguito then cooly knocked in his freebies to give Kia Motors a 78-74 breather with only seven ticks remaining that turned out to be the final tally.  (FREEMAN)