THE PANTHERS and the Sharks set up another titular date in the Elite Basketball Club-Cebu after knocking out their respective foes in the semifinals last Sunday at the Visayan Glass Gym in Guadalupe, Cebu City.
Mark Panerio scored 25 points to lead the defending champion Panthers to an 84-81 win over the Rams, while the Sharks bucked size disadvantage to beat the Tigers, 98-86.
With the victories, the Panthers and the Sharks forged Elite Basketball Club-Cebu’s first back-to-back finals rematch in 10 seasons. The Finals starts this Sunday.
Wingman Rorie Paspie backed up Panerio with his 16 markers while Ryan Saavedra chipped in 12.
The Rams’ Sam Hermosa exploded for 31 points, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the defending champions.
Meanwhile, former UV Baby Lancer John Cabahug netted a game-high 23 points to lead the Sharks team that was missing the services of big man Prince Malana and Samsam Gullas.
The Sharks’ Paul Salarda backed up Cabahug with 20 points while Andrei Cainglet added 12.