Team 2k15 upped their chances for a twice-to-beat advantage in the semifinals of the APCRAA Basketball Tournament 2018 season as they got their third consecutive win in the elimination round against Team Bumblebees, 74-69 on Saturday, August 25 at the Asia Pacific College Gymnasium.
The victory also gave Team 2K15 a 5-1 win-loss record, tied with Team Knights at the top of the standings. Meanwhile, Team Bumblebees fell down to the fifth spot with a 3-3 record.
Abe Tanco continued to become the go-to guy of Team 2k15, with 26 points, 9 rebounds and 7 assists. Archie Gratil is not far behind, contributing 17 points and 7 rebounds for his team.
Bumblebees’ team captain Brix Estabillo led his team on the offensive side of their campaign, with 23 points plus 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 5 steals. Norman Ringor contributed 15 points and 10 rebounds for a double-double game.
It was a see-saw battle from tipoff with six lead changes between both teams, and a tie happening seven times. The crucial play happened with 49 seconds remaining as the game was tied at 69-all.
Estabillo’s jump shot got blocked by Pepe Canseco and a fastbreak layup was made by Gratil at the other end, giving 2K15 a 2 point lead with 31 seconds remaining. In the insuing play, Ken Villas got enough space underneath the basket but his shot got blocked by Tanco.
Tanco sealed the game with his two free throws after getting an intentional foul from Joemark Belardo. Two more free throws were given to Archie Gratil after getting another foul from Estabillo after their team turned the ball over in the previous possession.
Both teams will be playing their final game of the season on September 1 as 2K15 faces off with Team Alpha at 5:00pm followed by a do-or-die game between Team Bumblebees and Team ASPAC at 6:30pm.
THE SCORES (FIBA LiveStats):
BUMBLEBEES (69): Estabillo 23, Ringor 15, Prion 12, Belardo 6, Gumboc 4, Rubio 0, Villas 0, Pring 0, Grepo 0
2K15 (74): Tanco 26, Gratil 17, Dela Cuesta 12, Canseco 7, Villegas 5, Monera 5, Jabile 0, Nartia 0, Abalon 0
QUARTERSCORES: 20-22, 34-33, 56-51, 69-74