THE 2003-CEBU Landmasters and the 1997-Top Shift Motors sent their respective championship showdowns to winner-take-all Game 3s as they emerged victorious in Game 2 of the 23rd SHAABAA basketball tournament on Wednesday night at the Ateneo de Cebu basketball courts along Mango Avenue.
In Division B, Batch 2003 defeated the 2007-Bad Boy Wings, 66-54 to tie the series up at 1-1.
With their big three of current Batangas Athletics wingman Moncrief Rogado and athletic forwards Daryle Tan and Justin Huang in harness, 2003 led wire-to-wire to snatch the series-tying win. Making matters worse for 2007 was the leg injury suffered by star forward Leigh Dixon, who managed to play just 14 minutes.
Huang led 2003 with 18 points, eight rebounds and four assists while Tan chipped in 16 markers, six boards and three assists. Rogado, who missed Game 1, added a near triple-double performance of 11 points, 10 rebounds and six assists.
Job Shan led 2007 with 23 markers.
In Division A, 1997 bested the 1990-Bayfront Hotel, 35-29, in an intense and highly physical encounter.
The deciding matches will be played on Sunday afternoon at the Magis Eagles Arena in Mandaue City.