Kutitap makes last trip to semifinals

Learning from its painful loss to Ateneo-Pioneers three days ago, Kutitap Toothpaste kept its composure down the stretch yesterday as it downed John-O Juzz, 92-84, and advanced into the semifinals of the PBL Chairman’s Cup at the Pasig Sports Complex.

Cyrus Baguio and Ryan Dy typified the Teeth Sparklers’ endgame toughness as they combined for their team’s last eight points and helped defuse a determined surge by the Juzzers.

"That loss gave us the motivation to hang tough in crucial situations like in this win," said Kutitap coach Coy Banal, referring to the 66-67 loss to the Blue Eagles that denied his charges an outright entry into the semis.

The high-leaping Baguio scored four of his 16 points in the final two minutes, including the go-ahead basket , while Dy came off the bench to score four points in the final 34.9 seconds.

The Teeth Sparklers took an 11-point lead in the third quarter only to allow the Juzzers, the newest team in the PBL, to claw back into the game and move to within two points at 82-84. Baguio and Dy then combined in an 8-2 run to finally settle the issue.

The scores:

Kutitap 92 - Saquilayan 25, Baguio 16, Dy 12, Sakangsang 10, Gelig 9, Mercado 9, Mallari 7, Sison 2, Rivera 2, Natividad 0.

John-O Juzz 84 - Neo 17, Napa 16, Barbosa 15, De Ocampo 14, Ferrer 7, Cayabyab 5, Salvador 5, Baguion 2, Santos 2, Olaguer 1, Kiram 0, Booker 0.

Quarterscores: 16-23; 43-46; 70-66; 92-84