Core Pacific, GMall arrange title showdown in Division A (Batch 2013, 2011 also reach finals in SHAABAA Season 27)

CEBU, Philippines — The Core Pacific Group and GMall of Cebu booted out their respective rivals to set up a championship showdown in Division A of the Sacred Heart Ateneo Alumni Basketball Athletic Association (SHAABAA) Season 27 at the SHS-AdC Magis Eagles Arena in Barangay Canduman, Mandaue City.

SHAABAA chairman Afshin Ghassemi fired 23 points on top of eight rebounds, two assists and three steals while Pierre Mella banged in 18 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals to power Core Pacific to a ruthless 118-38 demolition of Yangtze Ice.

Jeremy Ryan Huang sizzled with a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds laced with two assists and four steals as Core Paficic arranged a title clash with GMall of Cebu, which advanced to the finals after annihilating 2kcares.org, 83-39.

Tonyson Luther Lee paced GMall with led with 14 points and eight rebounds, while Paulsen Uy, Andrew Erazo, and John Paul Go connived for 35 points, 16 rebounds, and four assists.

On the other hand, Nest Workspaces Batch 2013 and Puresteel Manufacturing Corporation Batch 2011 also punched a ticket to the finals.

In Division C, Arc Gabriel Araw-araw scattered 20 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals, while Fletcher Galvez and Emman Malazarte cashed in double-doubles as the defending champion Batch 2013 ousted FADI Batch 2021 in decisive fashion, 71-51.

Galvez had 12 points, 11 rebounds, two assists, while Malazarte netted 12 points, 12 boards, and four dimes.

In Division B, Bernard Chioson sparkled with 18 points and 11 rebounds, while Franz Pacheco chipped in 17 markers and four rebounds sa Batch 2011 sent Radius One Batch 2007 packing, 79-57.

Meanwhile, ZLREJ Trading & Construction Batch 2010 and Xchange Forex Batch 2018 lived and fight for another day after stunning their twice-to-beat opponents.

Jasper Diaz dished out a monster double-double show of 22 points and 20 rebounds, Gabe Branzuela tossed in 25 points, seven rebounds and as many steals, while Joseph Zozobrado finished with 17 points and six rebounds to lead Batch 2010 to a 70-49 rout of For the Win Batch 2004.

In the other semis duel, Benedict Andre Chua dropped 20 points and 12 rebounds, Lyder Kent Canieso added 12 points and nine rebounds, while Eroll Pastor donated 11 points and eight rebounds as Batch 2018 pulled off a 69-60 upset of Cebu Landmasters/CloudKart Batch 2014. — (FREEMAN)