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The Pampanga Buddies leaned a strong finishing kick to repulse the Laguna Stallions, 104-90, and become the first finalist in the Cebu leg of the Liga Pilipinas Tour last night at the Mandaue City Cultural and Sports Complex.
The Stallions were in control most of the way until the Buddies struck hard in the endgame to salvage the win.
Protecting a precarious 90-87 lead with three minutes left in the contest, the Buddies let loose a blistering 14-0 attack and surged to a 104-87 lead going into the final minute of the contest.
Fil-Am Jared Dillinger led the Buddies' endgame comeback by unloading 13 of his 16 points in the fourth, including a rim-rattling dunk in the dying seconds.
Larry Rodriguez topscored for Pampanga with 20 points on top of eight rebounds. Khiel Misa and Emerson Oreta contributed 17 markers each. Gerwin Gaco topped the Stallions with 19 markers.
The M. Lhuillier-Cebu Ninos and the Zamboanga Amores were still playing as of this writing with the victor getting the right to face the Buddies in today's championship game at the Cebu Coliseum.
In the Quezon leg over at the Quezon Convention Center, the Quezon Red Oilers booked the first championship slot by nailing a 78-72 victory over the Ilocos Bravehearts, 78-72.
Angelus Raymundo paced the Red Oilers with 16 points, while Jorel Canizares and Ramsey Williams donated 13 and 12, respectively.
BOX SCORES
CEBU LEG
PAMPANGA (104) - Rodriguez 20, Misa 17, Oreta 17, Dillinger 16, Nicdao 13, Bansil 9, Mercado 5, Vizcarra 5, Alcaraz 2.
LAGUNA (90) - Gaco 19, Ebuen 15, Santos 14, Angeles 11, Bolocon 10, Valderama 10, Losentes 6, Dedicatoria 4, Ricafuente 1.
QUEZON LEG
QUEZON 78 – Raymundo 16, Canizares 13, Williams 12, Magsumbol 9, Chua 8, Macanig 7, Pinera 7, Mondragon 7.
ILOCOS SUR 72 – Saldua 20, Malabanan 15, Kalaw 13, Hugnatan 12, Castro 4, Cabatu 4, Lopez. 1. CORRESPONDENT CALVIN D. CORDOVA
