THE HAPEE Fresh Fighters advanced to the championship round as they survived a feisty challenge by the Cebuana Lhuillier Gems, 73-66, in their knockout match in the PBA D-League Foundation Cup last Monday at the Ynares Sports Arena.
The win placed Hapee in the finals for the second straight conference, where it will face off against a game Café France Bakers squad.
The Fresh Fighters, though, had to earn the win as they brief run in the final frame that proved to be decisive in giving them the win.
Trailing 59-61, former University of San Jose-Recoletos guard Jessmar Villahermosa canned a triple that was followed by consecutive buckets by Ola Adeogun to place Hapee in front, 66-61, 3:27 to go.
The Gems pulled to within three, 63-66, but Adeogun once again came up big and scored underneath to make it a five-point game.
Free-throws by Nico Elorde and Chris Newsome then sealed the victory for Hapee.
Adeogun led Hapee with 20 markers on 8-of-9 shooting while Art dela Cruz and Elorde added 14 and 12, respectively.
Simon Enciso led the Gems with 18 while Tautaa had 12. Allan Mangahas, who exploded for 40 last time out, was held down to just 11.
The Finals begins tomorrow at 3 p.m. at the Ynares Arena.