Taguig faces MisOr in Liga final

LOS BAÑOS, Laguna , Philippines  – Burly center Ariel de Castro scored eight points in a crippling 11-0 windup to send Forward Taguig into the championship game of the Smart Liga Pilipinas Conference III Laguna leg at the expense of host Trace-Laguna Stallions, 77-74, at the Stallions’ Gym at Trace College Friday night.

De Castro, a product of the National University, capped his heroics with the go-ahead basket at the 16-second mark, 76-74. Alex Angeles then drove to the hoop and issued a drop pass only to see the ball slip from Ron Capati’s hands and return possession to Taguig.

Rex Leynes was quickly fouled and he split his charities for the final tally with six ticks to play. Lou Gatumbato then preserved the win by tapping the ball away from Jan Villaver into the waiting arms of Leynes who then dribbled the time away.

The Stallions of Erwin Genuino and coach Nomar Isla were comfortably ahead entering the final two minutes, 74-64, thanks to back-to-back triples by RB Mangahas and a Ron Capati basket. That was the last to be heard from the hosts as they bungled four free throws and committed costly errors down the stretch.

Paul Reguera led Taguig with 15 points followed by Gatumbato with 14. Mangahas paced the Stallions with 16 and Villaver added 15 markers.

Taguig of Mayor Freddie Tinga and coach Bing Victoria will meet defending national champion Misamis Oriental Meteors in the one-game finale.