MVBA: Dazz beats 24/7 Promac, 79-66, to bag semis slot

Games Thursday New Cebu Coliseum 5:00 p.m. - Battle for Third Place 7:00 p.m. - Championship Dazz 'Sang Patak defeated 24/7 Freight Logistics Promac, 79-66, to claim the second semifinal seat in Group A of the 1st Talk 'N Text Mindanao Visayas Basketball Association (MVBA) Invitational Tournament Tuesday night at the New Cebu Coliseum in Cebu City. Trailing at halftime, 34-39, the wards of coach Agripino "Jun" Noel outscored 24/7 Promac, 22-11, with the timely baskets of Reed Friar Juntilla, Ronald Bucao, and Francis Mercado, according to a league statement released on Wednesday. Dazz then maintained their twin-digit lead and coasted to victory as Robert Sanz unloaded eight markers in the final quarter to keep 24/7 Promac in check. Dazz thus finished with a 1-1 win-loss card while 24/7 Promac remained winless in two starts in the tournament. Idle M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala-Cebu City topped Group A with a clean 2-0 slate. In the second game, guest team Hotel Fortuna Firely leaned on two free-throws by Nathaniel Cruz off the final foul of J.R. Quinahan with 21 seconds left in the game to eke out a 95-93 thriller win over the Burger King Whoppers. Hotel Fortuna Firefly of Cebu topped Group B with a 2-0 record. The Whoppers of coach Lawrence Chongson leveled their card to 1-1 to also advance to Wednesday's crossover semifinals. The semifinal pairings pit M. Lhuillier against Burger King and Dazz against Hotel Fortuna Firefly. The winners advance to today's winner-take-all championship game. Scores: Dazz (79): Juntilla 22, Sanz 14, Lanete 11, Mercado 10, Almacin 9, Belga 6, Bucao 5, Alonzo 2, Larong 0, Rodriguez 0, Moreno 0, Butel 0 24/7 Freight Promac (66): Malinao 18, Sayon 11, Padayao 8, Tangarorang 8, Lanete 5, Tundag 5, Mercader 4, France 4, Abatayo 2, Sereno 1, Ocanada 0, Jaca 0, Jueves 0 Quarter scores: 17-19, 34-39, 56-50, 79-66 Hotel Fortuna Firefly (95): Saladaga 20, Go 17, Matias 14, Cruz 12, Santa Cruz 10, Cabili 9, Mangahas 7, Kalaw 2, Guiyab 3, Gatchalian 1, Hardin 0 Burger King (93): Tan 19, Devance 15, Bravo 10, Mendoza 10, Quinahan 8, Buenafe 7, Aquino 6, David 6, Urbiztondo 5, Saguindel 4, Dizon 3, Garrido 0 Quarter scores: 25-22, 40-48, 67-69, 95-93

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