The Jr. Express sealed the all-important win with tough defense in the stretch that held the Jr. Turbo Chargers scoreless in the last 1:21 on the way to a finals showdown against Talk N Text-Quezon City.
In stark contrast, the TNT-QC and the Purefoods-Taguig encounter was a carnage with the Jr. Phone Pals dealing the Jr. Hotdogs a 123-74 beating in the other semifinal at the Araneta Coliseum.
Biboy Reyes scattered 31 points and four other Jr. Phone Pals scored in double digits as TNT-QC matched FedEx-San Juan’s five consecutive victories.
The winner-take-all championship is scheduled June 6 (1 p.m.) also at the Big Dome.
Unexpectedly, FedEx-San Juan found its hands full against an inspired Shell-Manila team and had to count on Gary Valdez and Andrei Zulueta to deliver the big shots as the Jr. Turbo Chargers managed to silence Ryan Manteclaro, the Jr. Express’ top scorer, in the fourth quarter.
Valdez tied the count at 79 on two free throws with 48 seconds remaining before Zulueta put FedEx-San Juan ahead on a transition play 28 seconds later. Valdez completed his heroics by making a key steal that took away any chance by Shell-Manila to force overtime.
It was a frustrating defeat for the Jr. Turbo Chargers who seemed to have the game under control but blew it off on poor foul shooting.
Shell-Manila went 4-of-19 from the foul line in third quarter and 12-of-36 for the game.
Despite going silent in the fourth quarter, Ryan Christopher Monteclaro still led the Jr. Express with 16 points and was named Most Valuable Player of the tournament.
The versatile Monteclaro was also named to the Mythical Five Selection along with teammate Valdez, Ronel Jerrick Santos (Purefoods-Taguig), Biboy Reyes (TNT-QC) and Isaiah Gilbert Reyes (TNT-QC).