Former University of San Carlos Warriors guard Nilton Otida came up big in the clutch to carry the defending champions 2008 Flyboys past the top-seeded 2015 Samurais, 77-70, in the semifinals of Division 3 in the USC North Alumni Basketball Conference Summer League 2018 last Saturday at the North Campus gym.
With the game hanging in the balance, Otida saved his best for last, pumping in one crucial bucket after another to repel the Samurais and give the Flyboys a spot in the championship round.
Standing opposite them in the finals will be the 2011 Elevens, which got past the 2010 Pioneers, 86-80, in their semifinal match-up.
Anthony Romaguerra, the wingman who scored an unforgettable 83 points earlier in this tournament, proved to be the difference-maker as he torched 2010 for 32 markers.
The Division 1 finals will feature Batch 1985 against 1988, while Division 2 will see 1999 battle 1997.