MetroTiles overcame a twice-to-beat disadvantage in the semis by beating the top-ranked Davies Paints. /Contributed photo
METROTILES overcame the top-ranked Davies Paints in their rubbermatch, 87-80, to make it to the finals of the Cebu Architects Basketball Club 2nd Corporate Cup on Sunday at the Cebu Eastern College gym.
With Davies holding a twice-to-beat advantage, MetroTiles turned to prolific wingman Mike Cinco and Jonas Panerio in the fourth period to turn away their opponents and forge a finals showdown against early qualifier AAC LightStrong.
Panerio hit four three-pointers in the fourth, scoring 12 of his 17 points in that stretch while Cinco was brilliant all game long, piling up 31 points, five rebounds, two assists, three steals and two blocked shots. Point guard Darren Morandante nearly had a double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds to go with two assists.
This had been the second time MetroTimes has had to defeat a team that had a twice-to-beat advantage in the playoffs. They beat the fifth-seed Phelps Dodge in the quarterfinals to make it to the semis.
The loss spoiled the gallant effort of Davies guard Kim Rebosura, who flirted with a triple-double of 30 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.