MANILA, Philippines - Quezon City blasted Caloocan, 92-83, to clinch the first finals berth in the second Coca-Cola Hoopla National Capital Region Championship at the Ynares gym in Antipolo last Tuesday.
But Taguig beat Antipolo, 84-80, to force a sudden death for the other finals berth.
Game One of the finals is set tomorrow with Game Two slated on Saturday.
QC, dragged into a tight first half by Caloocan, broke the game wide open at 76-61 before cruising to victory.
The win was QC’s fourth in the Inter-Zonal and 10th overall in the grassroots-designed league for non-varsity players.
John Boquiren led Quezon City with 19 points, Christopher Villarosa chipped in 17, Alvin de Lelon and Ronnie Diaz had 11, and Leon Lazaro 10.
Taguig blew a 48-37 lead and fell behind, 71-74, in the face of Antipolo’s torrid offensive. But the host team charged back behind an 11-2 run, six points courtesy of Joshua Morris Mayor, to regain the driver’s seat.
The scores:
Quezon City 92 – Boquiren 19, Villarosa 17, De Leon 11, Diaz 11, Lazaro 10, Pangan 9, Gadian 8, Estrella 6, Requiez 2, Abragan 0
Caloocan 83 – Tsutsui 14, Mapenas 14, Francisco 12, Masayo 11, A. Garcia 11, Fernandez 8, Seneido 6, Montanas 6, Molina 2.
Quarterscores: 20-19, 46-37, 68-57, 92-83.
Taguig 84 – Mayor 27, Pumaris 21, Santos 12, Parado 8, Portuguez 6, Barro 6, Baclas 2, Ilano 2.
Antipolo 80 – Mocon J. 20, Dizon 18, Repato 12, Baliton 12, K. Mocon 7, De Mesa 4, Bacay 3, Agpalo 2, Abila 2.
Quarterscores: 21-17, 40-35, 67-57, 84-80.