Stay Clean, Fusion gain twice- to-beat edge

CEBU, Philippines - Stay Clean and Fusion pulled off contrasting victories to clinch the top two spots going into the crossover semifinals of the Architects+Engineers Basketball Association's 1st Davies Paints Cup at the Cebu Eastern College gym.

While Stay Clean labored hard before eking out a close 79-75 decision over the gritty Acreex, Fusion did not break a sweat as Elastogel did not show up for their scheduled game.

They finished the double round elimination with identical 7-3 win-loss records, but Stay Clean emerged as the top qualifier by virtue of a simple tie. Nevertheless, both Stay Clean and Fusion will enjoy twice-to-beat incentives over Acreex and Polyfloor, respectively, in the next stage of the three-month tilt. The winners will then clash for the championship in a best-of-three series.

Polyfloor advanced as third seed with a 6-win, 4-loss card after defeating Aqua Gloss-It, 74-67, while Acreex claimed the fourth and last semis berth with a 4-6 slate.

Elastogel (4-6) and Aqua Gloss-It (2-8) officially formally bowed out of the competition. (FREEMAN)