ANI-FCA, MisOr duel for leg plum

MANILA, Philippines - ANI-FCA pounced on a skidding Mandaue side and pounded out a 74-65 victory to clinch the second final berth in the Tournament of the Philippines (TOP) at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Center in Mandaue City Thursday.

Former Ateneo star Ford Arao turned in a double-double game of 16 points and 11 rebounds as ANI-FCA rolled to its second straight win to arrange a duel with in-form Misamis Oriental for the leg crown.

The Meteors routed MP Pacman GenSan, 99-73, to complete its sweep of the tournament which served as the fourth leg of the circuit jointly organized by the Philippine Basketball League (PBL) and Liga Pilipinas.

Neil Raneses, Patrick Cabahug and Ronald Lamocha combined for 41 points while Mark Andaya and Philip Butel each had four shot blocks to underscore MisOr’s domination over the Warriors.

The Cultivators trailed majority of the way but fought back in the final period behind Arao, former pro Boyet Bautista and Roel Hugnatan. They wound up with a 2-1 card.

“We’re slowly showing maturity in our game,” said ANI-FCA coach Arsenio Dysanco.

Arao scored 11 points in a 20-12 ANI-FCA run as the Cultivators closed to within, 54-56, before Bautista and Hugnatan took over.

The 5-foot-7 Bautista finished with nine points, five assists, three rebounds and a steal while Hugnatan scored 16 points for the Cultivators, who trailed in the first three quarters but poured it all out in the fourth.