De Luna makes crucial basket, brings Alpha to semifinals

De Luna finished the game with a double-double; 18 points, 17 rebounds with 2 assists and 3 blocks. Alex Tagle led Alpha’s scoreres with 21 points and 10 rebounds for another double-double performance.

For the Warriors, the Gratil Brothers, Edwin and Archie, led the team in scoring with 21 and 14 points respectively. Edwin also tallied his first double-double game in the tournament by grabbing 12 rebounds. Daryl Favila also had a good outing in the three point line, making 4 out of 7 attempts and finishing with 15 points.

Both teams had a taste of the lead and scoring runs kept the game close up to the last two minutes of the game. The game was tied up at the 3-minute mark of the fourth quarter, 61-all. Mon Estoque split his charity shots and gave Alpha a 1 point advantage. The Warriors tried to build up a comfortable lead from Daryl Favila and Guess dela Cuesta’s three point shots, pulling them in front with a five point lead, 67-62 with 1:15 left in the game.

The Warriors’ lead was doused off thanks to the two consecutive baskets of Jeru Castanares and Pepe Canseco. Chan Amparo of the Warriors turned the ball over in the ensuing play. At the next possession, the Warriors stuck to clean defense as De Luna missed a crucial field goal. Canseco, De Luna and Castanares got the rebound after three followup attempts and De Luna was able to put back the basket, giving them a 1-point lead with 23 seconds remaining in the game.

The Warriors tried to find an open man to score the a potential game winning basket and found Julian Nones cutting into the free throw line. The attempt was short, sealing the win for Team Alpha.

The Warriors will be back in action on September 24 as they will face the Cav Guards in a must-win game for them to enter the semifinals. Team Alpha will go up against Team OGs to solidify the third spot in the standings.

Boxscores (click here for full stats):
Alpha (68): Tagle 21, De Luna 18, Canseco 9, Lim 7, Castanares 7, Perez 3, Estorque 2, Montojo J 1
Warriors (67): Gratil E 21, Gratil A 14, Favila 14, Dela Cuesta 10, Nartia 4, Amparo 2, Samonte 2, Nones 0, Battung 0, Jabile 0, Gopico 0

Quarterscores: 26-15, 38-32, 56-51, 68-67