Coke Zero enters semis in Japa tilt

MANILA, Philippines - Coke Zero, playing only with seven men, survived PBA Press Corps, 68-65, to sweep Group B Sunday and advance into the semi-final round of the Meralco-Raffy Japa Cup basketball tournament at the Araneta Coliseum.

Christopher Tiamson scored 22 points, Teteng Repecio had 20, and Adi Aumentado contributed 14 for Coke Zero, which will now battle in a knockout game the second-ranked team in Group A in the crossover semi-finals for a spot in the championship.

The PBA Board/Commissioner’s Office will gun for the No. 2 spot in Group A when it clashes with winless Talk ‘N Text All-Stars on Wednesday, marking the end of the eliminations of the tournament also sponsored by Araneta Center and Coca-Cola.

San Miguel Corp. All-Stars was the first team to make the semis, sweeping Group A.

Coke Zero’s victory also towed Pro Stats into the next round since it dealt PBAPC its second defeat in as many games. Pro Stats had already defeated PBAPC last Wednesday, 82-66.   

PBAPC had chances to steal the game after trailing by as many as 50-39. But the Scribes gave away a five-point swing in a single possession down the stretch and Francis Ochoa’s three-point shot at the buzzer failed to drop in.

Cedelf Tupas led PBAPC with 22 points, Joseph Ramos had 15, and June Navarrro added 12.