The Pasig Sta. Lucia Realtors advanced to the Filbasket semifinals after dispatching the twice-to-beat Nueva Ecija Bespren, 79-66, at the Subic Bay Gymnasium on Thursday, November 18.
Former San Sebastian stag Ryan Costelo shone anew for Pasig as he finished with a game-high 18 points, to go with 8 rebounds and 3 assists in the victory.
After crushing the Bespren by 20 points, 99-79, in the first game of their quarterfinal series, the Realtors once again came out with guns blazing and quickly built an 11-point advantage, 22-11, off a Jeric Teng three-pointer with 2:25 left to play in the opening period.
The Realtors never looked back as they managed to extend their lead to as many as 20 points early in the 3rd quarter, 47-27, which proved too much for the Bespren to overcome at the end.
Teng backstopped Costelo with 16 points on an efficient 4-of-7 shooting from deep, while Cedrick Ablaza came up with a double-double of 14 points and 12 rebounds.
John Paul Sarao topscored for the Bespren in the losing effort with 14 points along with 10 rebounds, while Rence Alcoriza added 12 markers.
Pasig will face the top-seeded AICC Manila in the knockout semifinals on Friday, November 19, at 4:30 pm, followed by the highly anticipated showdown between the Davao Occidental Tigers-Cocolife and the San Juan Knights-Go For Gold at 7:10 pm.
The Scores
Pasig 79 – Costelo 18, Teng 16, Ablaza 14, Arana 13, Lingganay 5, Bautista 5, Ludovice 4, Apinan 4, Medina 0, Chan 0, Ambohot 0, Villanueva 0, Pena 0.
Nueva Ecija 66 – Sarao 14, Alcoriza 12, Nacpil 11, Palma 10, Cruz 4, Valin 4, Bonleon Jr. 3, Tolentino 3, Dela Torre 3, Martinez 2, Ingel 0.
Quarters: 22-13, 40-26, 59-45, 79-66.
– Rappler.com
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