Third-seeded Royals pulled off an amazing upset to stun 3W Builders while STATS FXL repulsed Chargers as both teams advanced to the championship of the 2017 Next5Hoops Metro Manila South Leg Qualifiers Intermediate Division.
In what was the story of the semi-finals round, Royals pulled out all the stops to deal the previously undefeated 3W Builders a stunning loss, 78-75. It couldn’t have come at a better time, as Royals will now play in the finals of the tournament.
Edu Reyes had 26 points and 11 rebounds to power Royals, with Michael Tiongco and Junard Caprida adding 13 and 12 markers, both off the bench.
Reyes and Andrew Felix joined hands as Royals got off to a hot start, leading 16-9. They held on to the lead, having an answer for every Builders run.
Baskets by Tiongco and Reyes gave Royals their biggest lead at 65-52 early in the fourth quarter, before the Builders tried to steal the contest one last time.
Back to back triples by Matthew Riel and Nano Alvarado cut the deficit down to just 72-70; Reyes responded with four straight points, before Alvarado again hit a three to make it a 75-73 lead.
Finally, Reyes and Felix sealed the victory by hitting free throws towards the end of the game.
Riel had 17 points and 10 rebounds with Alvarado added 14 markers and 10 boards for the Builders, which saw their season end early unfortunately.
Royals will battle STATS FXL, which used a strong second half to pull away from Chargers, 81-69.
Buboy Bernardo led STATS FXL with 19 points and 12 rebounds, making 5-of-8 from three-point area. Harvey Subrasas chipped in 17 markers.
After falling down by two at the half, STATS FXL outscored the Chargers, 25-15 in the third frame to take control.
Subrasas and Ryan Rosas combined for eight points in a run which allowed STATS FXL to take a 50-39 lead.
Nino Romano led the Chargers with his 17 points, five boards, and four assists while Mark Francisco added a double-double of 16 points and 14 rebounds.
